Aim To study the effect of radix astragali(RA) and safflor injection on neuron apoptosis and caspase-8 following local cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.Methods Male adult rats were randomly divided into three groups:the sham-operated group,the model group,the RA group,the safflor group and the RA+safflor group.The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established by thread ligation method.Neurological system symptoms were evaluated after 12 h,24 h,48 h of ischemia/reperfusion.Then rats were decapitated at 12 h,24 h,and 48 h after reperfusion,and brains were taken for TUNEL and immunohistochemistry examinations.Positive reacted cells of apoptosis and Caspase-8 are counted under light microscope at different time points of ischemia/reperfusion.Results RA and safflor can significantly alleviate neurological system damage;Apoptosis examination showed that positive reacted cell amount in the RA group,the safflor group and the RA+safflor group was significantly milder than that in the model group(P<0.05).And then,as compared with the RA group and the saffler group,amount was declined in RA+safflor group(P<0.05).Immune examination of Caspase-8 showed that positive reacted cell amount in the RA group,the safflor group and the RA+safflor group was significantly milder than that in the model group(P<0.05).And then,as compared with the RA group and the safflor group,amount was declined in RA+safflor group(P<0.05).Conclusions The protective effects of the RA and safflor against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury might be associated with downing regulation of the Caspase-8 expression.