Clausenamide is a compound isolated from Clausena lansium (lour) with the structure similar to piracetam. Pharmacological experiments showed that clausenamide po 100-200 mg/kg prolonged both the duration of gasping after decapitation and the survival time after sc NaNO2 225 mg/kg, clausenamide at the concentration of 10(-5) mol/L inhibited the contraction of basilar artery caused by 5-HT, PGF2 alpha and arachidonic acid, indicating that clausenamide is a cerebral protective agent. In addition, multiple doses clausenamide were shown to inhibit the liver lipid peroxidation caused by 50% alcohol and increase the GSH-peroxidase activity significantly in rat liver and brain cytosol.