mRNA and protein expression of interleukin 1? converting enzyme (ICE) were determined with RF PCR and immunohisto chemistry in brain tissue after complete ischemia followed by reperfusion of the forebrain of gerbil.The effect of radix salviae miltorrhizae was also studied. It was found that increased expression of ICEmRNA was induced during the 4 days after ischemia and reperfusion. Meanwhile, the increases in ICE positive reactivity were observed in glial cells in the regions of CA1 and cortex 1～4 days after ischemia and reperfusion, but the ICE positive reaction was inhibited under the effect of radix salviae miltiorrhizae(P