Abstract：Objective：To discuss that total saponins in radix dipsaci has effect on protection of nerves in rats with vascular dementia(VD) and expression of regulatory gene of apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area. Methods：The VD models of rats were established by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid artery. On the 30th day after successful establishment， the groups of total saponins in radix dipsaci of low and high dose were given gastric perfusion with 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg total saponins in radix dipsaci respectively；the nicardepine group was given 7 mg/kg nicardepine；the sham surgery group and the model group were given normal saline of same volume. After four-week continuous medication，Morris water maze test was conducted； hippocampus tissue was examined pathologically； in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area， the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)，glutathione(GSH)，superoxide dismutase(SOD)，poly- ADP- ribosomal polymerase(PARP)，B- cell lymphoma- 2(Bcl- 2)， Bcl- 2 associated X protein(Bax) and Cysteine protease- 3(Caspase- 3) were detected. Results： In hippocampal CA1 area， there were cells in large number with close arrangement and distinct layout in the sham surgery group；in the model group，the number of cells was decreased，cells were arranged disorderly，and a few nerve cells were evidently swollen；there were cells in larger number with closer arrangement in the group of total saponins in radix dipsaci of low dose，and a few nerve cells were degenerated and shrunk. The morphological changes in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area in the group of total saponins in radix dipsaci of high dose and the nicardepine group were between those in the group of total saponins in radix dipsaci of low dose and the sham surgery group. Compared with those in the sham surgery group，in the model group， the escape latencies were lengthened， and the levels of MDA， PARP， Bax and Caspase- 3 in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area were significantly increased(P＜0.05)；the times of crossing the platform and the levels of GSH，SOD and Bcl- 2 in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area were significantly decreased(P＜0.05). Compared with those in the model group，in the groups of total saponins in radix dipsaci of low and high dose and the nicardepine group，the escape latencies were shortened，and the levels of MDA，PARP，Bax and Caspase- 3 in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)，and the times of crossing the platform and the levels of GSH，SOD and Bcl-2 in tissue of hippocampal CA1 area were significantly increased(P＜0.05). When compared each index between the group of total saponins in radix dipsaci of high dose and the nicardepine group， there was no significance in the difference(P＞0.05). Conclusion： Total saponins in radix dipsaci can improve ability of learning and memory of VD rats， whose mechanism may be related to its regulation and control of gene expression of apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area.