To investigate whether Erigeron Breviscapus (vant) Hand-Mazz (EBHM) has neuroprotective effect against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neuron death in retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL). · METHODS: Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. 6 animals were normal control group (group A). The others were divided as group B (EBHM group), group C (normal saline+NMDA group) and group D(EBHM + NMDA group), each group had 18 rats. 10nmol NMDA was intravitreally injected to induce partial damage of the neurons in RGCL in the right eyes of Groups C and D. Same volume PBS was intravitreally injected into the left eyes as self-control. Groups B and D were pretreated intraperitoneally with 6g/L EBHM solution at a dose of 150mg/kg body weight/day seven days before and after NMDA treatment. Group C were administrated intraperitoneally with 9g/L normal saline at the same time of EBHM injection. Rats were sacrificed at 4,7,14 day after NMDA treatment. Flat whole retinas were stained with 5g/L cresyl violet and neuron counting in RGCL from both eyes were observed. Each subgroup had 6 rats. · RESULTS: There was no significant difference of neuron counting in RGCL between the right eye and the left eye in group A. There was no significant difference between normal control group and EBHM group either in the right eyes or in the left eyes at 4, 7 and 14 day respectively after intravitreal injection of 10nmol NMDA in group C and group D. (P = 0.636, P =0.193). Neuron counting of RGCL in group C and D was significantly decreased in the NMDA- treated eyes 4, 7 and 14 days after intravitreal injection (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between self-control eyes group and normal control group. However, neuron counting was significantly higher in the EBHM+NMDA group than normal saline +NMDA group 14 days after intravitreal injection (P = 0.044), but lower than normal control group (P <0.05). · CONCLUSION: EBHM has no effect on neuron counting of RGCL when administered alone in normal rats. The results indicate that EBHM plays a partial protective role in NMDA-induced neuron loss in RGCL in rats.