We studied the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on Bax and Bcl-2 expression and neuronal apoptosis in pentylenetetrazole-kindled epileptic rats. Sixty adult rats were randomly divided into a control group, an epileptic group (kindled) and three medication groups ( 150, 300,450 mg/kg given to kindled rats). Bax and Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL labeling show ed that the number of Bax- and TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased significantly in the high-dose medication group, while the number of Bcl-2immunoreactive cells increased. The Morris water maze test showed that high-dose treatment significantly shortened escape latency and increased spatial probe trial performance. Our findings indicate that a high dose of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder upregulates the expressionof antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, inhibits proapoptotic Bax expression, and decreases seizure-induced neuronal apoptosis. Further,Ganoderma lucidum appears to protect against epilepsy-related leing and memory impairments.