Objective To observe the effect of Dahuang Tongfu D ec oction [Decoction of Dahuang（Radix et Rhizoma Rhei） to Free the Bowels] o n the neural function defect

activity of daily living and level of high-sensitivity C-reactive prot ein（hs-CRP） for acute cerebral infarction（ACI） patients with phlegm-heat and bowel-repletion syndrome.Methods Totally 160 ACI patients were randomized into research group and control group

with 80 in each.Both groups received the routine medication and rehabilitation.Dahuang Tongfu Decoction was added in the researc h group for 10 days.The serum level of hs-CRP was observed in both groups 24 h ours after onset and on the 3rd

7th and 15th day of acute stage.After treating for 15 days

the change of neural function defect score and Batherl index was ob s erved at the end of acute stage.After treating for 45 days

Batherl index was e valuated again with follow-up at the end of best recovery stage. Results The Bat hel index on the 45th day of onset was superior to that on the 15th day in the r esearch group（P<0.05）.The Bathel index on the 45th day and 15th day of o nset in the research group was superior to that in the control group（P<0.05）. Compa ring with the control group

the occurrence rate of conscious disturbance in the research group was significantly decreased on the 3rd day of onset（P<0.0 5）

b ut the difference was not statistically significant on the 7th and 10th day（P > 0.05）.Comparing in group

the difference of hs-CRP level in the research grou p was statistically significant at different time（P<0.05）.On the 3rd

7th and 1 5th day of the treatment course

the hs-CRP level in the research group was sig n ificantly lower than that in the control group（P<0.05）.After treating fo r 15 days

the total effective rate of the research group was superior to that o f th e control group at the end of acute stage（P<0.01）.Conclu sion Dahuang Tongfu Decoction could recover neural function defect obvi ously

reduce the invalidity rate and CRP level

improve activity of daily livin g and regulate inflammatory react ion for ACI patients with phlegm-heat and bowel-repletion syndrome.