Objective    To explore the protective efficacy of antioxidants (vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba extract) on the peripheral nerve damages induced by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).     Methods    Adult (2-month old) and infant SD rats (7-day old) were respectively treated with AEDs (phenytoin

or phenobarbital

or clonazepam) alone

or simultaneously with vitamin E or Ginkgo biloba extract for 4 weeks. All the rats were sacrificed

sciatic nerves and serum were collected. The sciatic nerves were analyzed by histologically for their pathological changes

and serum and homogenate of sciatic nerves were investigated for their total antioxidative capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity.      Results    Incidence of pathological abnormalities of teased fibers significantly reduced in all rats treated with AEDs and antioxidants (P0.01)

and antioxidant capacity in serum and homogenate of sciatic nerves was significantly improved in the rats treated with vitamin E or GBE (P0.05

P0.01).     Conclusion    Both GBE and vitamin E can prevent AEDs-induced peripheral nerve damages partly through improving antioxidant enzyme activities.