AIM: To investigate the expression of Fos and Jun proteins in rat brainsafter focal cerebral ischemia followed by reperfusion and effects of RSMand astragus. METHODS: 30 SD adult male rats were divided into 5groups at random . Group A: sham-operated group; Group B: model group;Group C: treated with RSM; Group D: treated with astragus; Group E:treated with RSM and astragus. The immunohistochemistry and medicalimage processing system(MIPS) were used to measure the numbers andmean grey levels of Fos and Jun protein positive cells in rat cerebralcortex of 5 groups. RESULTS: ( 1 ) In cerebral cortex of group B , C , D, E, the numbers of Fos and Jun positive cells were more than those ingroup A and mean grey levels of Fos and Jun positive cells were lower thanthose in group A(P ＜ 0.01); (2) In cerebral cortex of ischemic sidesin group C, D, E,the numbers of Fos and Jun positive cells were less thanthose in group B and mean grey levels of Fos and Jun positive cells werehigher than those in group B(P ＜ 0.01) ; (3) Group E had more sig-nificant effects than group C or group D ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). CONCLUSION:The expression of Fos protein and Jun protein in model group increasedsignificantly, compared with sham-operated group; RSM , astragus , RSMand astragus all could inhibit partly the expression of Fos protein and Junprotein after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion; Prescription of RSM andastragus had stronger inhibiting effects than RSM or astragus. It may be oneof mechanisms that ischemic stoke is treated by reinforcing Qi and acti-vating blood circulation therapy in TCM clinic.