Objective To investigate the effects of rhubarb extracts, i.e. rhein and emodin, on the neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic transmission, and to further reveal the mechanism of the secondary brain damage. Methods The fluid percussion injury (FPI) rat model and extracellular recording method were used. The evoked field potentials by stimulating Schaffer collaterals were collected from the ipsilateral (impact side) and the contralateral hippocampal CA1 areas of rat in vitro. And the field potentials, including the field excitatory postsynaptic potential and the population spike, were analyzed. Results After the impact was performed on the rat parietal cortex, the evoked field potentials in the ipsilateral hippocampus CA1 area were enhanced obviously. Rhubarb extracts reduced the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential and the number of the population spike significantly while rhein and emodin increased the latency of the population spike obviously. Conclusion Rhubarb extracts, i.e. rhein and emodin, can depress the neuronal hyperexcitability, which suggests that rhein and emodin play an important role in protecting the central nervous system from neuronal damage after traumatic brain injury. FPI produces hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons, probably by enhancing excitatory synaptic transmission.