After 30-min ischemia and 60-min reperfusions in rats by ligating bilateral vertebral and common carotid arteries, the brain calcium contents were increased from 171 +/- 6 micrograms in control group to 192 +/- 10 micrograms with abnormal EEG activities and ischemic injury in the brain tissues. Anisodamine 6.67 mg.kg-1, scopolamine 0.67 mg.kg-1 or atropine 0.67 mg.kg-1 injected ip decreased the elevated calcium contents of the rat brain to the level of control, reduced the ischemic injury of brain tissue, and promoted the recovery of EEG activities. The findings showed that the 3 henbane drugs might prevent the brain tissues from ischemic damage through reducing intracellular Ca2+ accumulation resulted from ischemia and reperfusion event.