Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of Shuxuetong on gerbil brain tissue from the area of ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion animal model by transient clipping bilateral common carotid afteries in gerbils. Pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue were observed at different reperfusion time (12h, 3 d, 7 d). The expression levels of GABA and TNF-α in the hippocampal CA1 subfield were observed using immunohistochemitry at 12 h, 3 d after reperfusion. The difference of above indices among false operation group, ischemia-reperfusion group and treatment group were compared. Results The injuries of pathology to hippocampal area in ischemiareperfusion group were more serious than treatment group. The expression levels of GABA in treatment group were significantly increased compared with ischemia-reperfusion group, but the expression levels of TNF-α between the two groups have no difference. Conclusion Shuxuetong has protective effect on brain tissue of ischemia-reperfusion by enhancing the expression of GABA in the hippocampal tissue.