To investigate the exact mechanism of epileptogenesis induced by coriaria lactone (CL), the effect of CL on NMDA receptor mediated current (Iasp) in rat hippocampal CAI neurons was investigated by using nystatin perforated whole-cell patch clamp. 10-6-10-4 mol/L Asp acted on NMDA receptors and elicited an inward current (Iasp) at a holding potential (VH) of -40mV in presence of 10-6 mol/L glycine and absence of Mg2+ extracellularly. CL enhanced NMDA receptor mediated current induced by Asp, but had no effect on threshold concentration, EC50,Hill coefficient as well as maximal-effect concentration and reversal potential of Iasp. The effect had no relationship with holding potential. These results showed that CL could enhance NMDA receptor mediated current to increase [Ca2+]I of neurons by acting on Gly site, thereby inducing epilepsy.