The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ginsenoside-Rd for acute ischemic stroke.

A major contributor to brain injury after stroke is disordered inward flow of Ca2+ and its toxic accumulation in the nervous system following cerebral ischemia. Ginsenoside-Rd, a purified component from total saponins of Panax notoginseng, has a molecular formula of C48H82O18•3H2O with a molecular weight of 1001.2. Ginsenoside-Rd has been shown to inhibit receptor-operated Ca2+ influx through receptor-and-store-operated Ca2+ channels (ROCC) , attenuate oxidative stress in stroke, reduce the size of the cerebral infarction and preserve brain functioning in animal models of acute ischemic stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• between 18 to 75 years
• the first episode
• from onset to admission within 72 hours
• NIHSS scores:5~22

Exclusion Criteria:

• had other intracranial pathologies (e.g., tumor, infection)
• had a neurologic or psychiatric disease
• had a coexisting condition that limited their life expectancy
• had significant drug or alcohol misuse
• had high-grade carotid artery stenosis for which surgery was planned
• were pregnant or nursing
• participated in a clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past 3 months
• were unlikely to be available for follow-up