Objective To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and dan-Shen root on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborn rats. Methods NGF and dan-Shen root were injected into 7-day-old rats before and after the HIE models were made. Glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp) and nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) levels in brain tissues and pathological changes were examined after the hypoxic-ischemic insults. Results Both (Glu, Asp) in 30 min and NOS were significantly increased in HIE rats compared with the control group. The difference between them was markedly significant. Glu: ( 887.0 ± 145.2 ) μg/g, ( 776.5 ± 103.0 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.05 ),Asp: ( 278.6 ± 48.2 ) μg/g, ( 224.8 ± 27.0 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.01 ), NOS: ( 3.346 ± 0.745 ) U/ml, ( 2.195 ± 0.615 ) U/ml,( P < 0.01 ), respectively. Glu, Asp and NOS after HIE and the pathological changes were reduced by NGF and dan-shen root as well. Glu: ( 694.9 ± 83.9 ) μg/g, ( 887.0 ± 145.2 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.01 ), Asp: ( 206.1 ± 25.4 ) μg/g, ( 278.6 ± 48.2 ), ( P < 0.01 ), NOS: ( 2.041 ± 0.357 ) U/ml, ( 3.346 ± 0.745 ) U/ml, ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions NGF and dan-shen root have preventive and therapeutic effects on HIE.