【Abstract】 Oojective To explore the effects of astragaloside IV on the neuronal apoptosis and expression of related proteins in hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage model rats. Methods 50 rats were randomly divided into healthy control group (Ctrl), hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage model group (HCH) and astragaloside IV treatment groups (AST (10, 20, 50 mg/kg)). The pathological changes of brain tissues were observed by hematoxylineosin (HE) staining. The apoptosis of brain tissues was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL) staining. The mRNA and protein levels of Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase3 were measured by quantitative realtime reverse transcription PCR (qRTPCR) and western blot. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were tested by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The neural deficit scores in HCH group were higher than that of control group (P＜ 0.01). Compared with HCH group, the neural deficit scores in AST (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) groups were reduced (P＜0.01). Furthermore, the neurobehavioral deficit score was decreased gradually with the increase of astragaloside concentration (P＜001). The pathological changes of brain tissues of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage rats were relieved. The apoptosis of brain tissues in HCH group was higher than control group (P＜0.01). Compared with HCH group, the apoptosis of brain tissues in AST (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) groups was alleviated (P ＜ 0.01). Moreover, apoptosis of brain tissue was reduced gradually with the increase of astragaloside concentration (P＜0.01). Compared with control group, the mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase3 in HCH group were increased with declined levels of Bcl2 (P＜0.01). Compared with HCH group, the mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase3 in AST (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) groups were attenuated with enhancive levels of Bcl2 (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with control group, the levels of SOD and GSH in HCH group were decreased wirh elevated levels of MDA (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with HCH group, the levels of SOD and GSH in AST (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) groups were enhanced with reduced levels of MDA (P＜0.01). Conclusion Astragaloside IV alleviates the neurobehavioral deficits, pathological changes of brain tissues and apoptosis in hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage model rats by inhibiting oxidative stress in a concentrationdependent manner.