en Cellular and molecular Neuroscience Cellular and molecular Neuroscience Original Original <strong>Introduction</strong>: In stroke models, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression initiates cellular toxicity due to excessive Nitric Oxide (NO) generation. Anchusa italica is a medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity and NOS mRNA expression of the Hydroalcoholic Extract Of Anchusa Italica (HEAI) in an experimental stroke model in rats.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: The stroke model was induced by bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 60 min. Twenty-four hours after surgery, HEAI (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was injected daily for 10 consecutive days. mRNA expression levels of NOS subtypes and hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) were studied using real-time PCR. Besides, hippocampal tissue plus serum concentrations of NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured.<br> <strong>Results</strong>: HEAI decreased MDA in both serum and hippocampal tissue and also reduced serum NO levels. Additionally, in the HEAI-treated groups, a down-regulation of iNOS mRNA expression, and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA expression were observed.<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: The results indicated that the administration of HEAI even after the onset of ischemia protects the brain from free radical injury and inflammation via a down-regulation of iNOS expression inhibiting NO production and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA. Anchusa italica, Ischemia-reperfusion, Nitric oxide, Stroke 323 332 http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1665-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Samira Asgharzade Samira@yahoo.com 13700319475328460027392 13700319475328460027392 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. Robert D. E. Sewell Sewell@gmail.com 13700319475328460027393 13700319475328460027393 No Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB. Wales, U.K. Zahra Rabiei zRabiei@gmail.com 13700319475328460027394 13700319475328460027394 No Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. Fatemeh Forouzanfar forouzanfarff@gmail.com 13700319475328460027395 13700319475328460027395 No Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Sedigheh Kazemi Sheikhshabani Kazemis@gmail.com 13700319475328460027396 13700319475328460027396 No Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei rafieian@yahoo.com 13700319475328460027397 13700319475328460027397 Yes Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.