Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of Wuzang Wenyang Huayu Decoction（ 五脏温阳化瘀汤） in the treatment of vascular dementia. Methods Eight rats were randomly selected from 55 rats as a sham operation group. The remaining rats were treated with bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation to prepare the vascular dementia model. The 39 successful model rats were randomly divided into a high-dose group with 10 rats

a low-dose group with 10 rats

a piracetam group with 10 rats and a model group with 9 rats. The high-dose and lowdose groups of traditional Chinese medicine were given Wuzang Wenyang Huayu Decoction respectively 5 and 1. 25 g/（ kg·d） by gavage

and the piracetam group was given 0. 15 g/（ kg·d） of piracetam dispersible tablets by gavage.The sham operation group and the model group were given equivalent normal saline per day by gavage. After 2 weeks

Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase（ PI3 K） and protein kinase B（ Akt） in rat hippocampus

and mammalian rapamycin target protein（ m TOR） mRNA and protein expression. Results Compared with the sham operation group

the escape latency of the model group was prolonged

the number of crossing platforms was decreased

and the expression of PI3 K

Akt

m TOR protein and mRNA in hippocampus was increased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Compared with the model group

the escape latency and the number of crossing platforms increased in the Chinese medicine high dose group and the piracetam group

and the expression of PI3 K

AKT

m TOR protein and mRNA in hippocampus increased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. There were no significant differences in the indicators between the high dose group of Chinese medicine and the piracetam group（ P > 0. 05）. Conclusion Wuzang Wenyang Huayu Decoction can improve the learning and memory ability of rats with vascular dementia

which may be achieved by regulating PI3 K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in hippocampus.