Aim: To investigate the effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on expressions of Caspase-1, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 after transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR). Methods: CIR injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. The rats were treated with PNS(25 mg · kg-1) and Nimodipine(1 mg · kg-1). The drugs were administered 5 min before cerebral ischemia, and 12, 24 and 36 h after cerebral ischemia. Sham operation group and model group were given equal volume normal saline. The expressions of Caspase we...