Objective To observe the effects of berberine on neuralogical function,serum oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL),and matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9) in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Ninety-two patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into treatment group and control group (n=46).Control group received routine treatment,while treatment group was given 0.3 g of berberine three times a day besides routine treatment for 14 days.In both groups,decubitus venous blood was harvested before,7 and 14 days after treatment.Serum ox-LDL and MMP-9 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Before and 7 and 14 days after treatment,the neural function defect was graded by the US National Institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results The neurological function was improved significantly in 7 and 14 days after the treatment for both two groups according to NIHSS and mRS,and the difference between treatment group and control group was statistically significant (P<0.05).After treatment,ox-LDL and MMP-9 declined significantly in both groups,and were lower in treatment group than in control group (all P<0.05).Conclusion Berberine significantly reduces ox-LDL and MMP-9 levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction and improves the degree of neurological function deficit.