BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that edaravone has a a neuroprotective role, inhibits free radical increase, and reduces cell apoptosis. The Notch pathway is a key factor in neurogenesis and cellular apoptosis. The proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) plays an important role in inflam- mation and oxidation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of edaravone on Notch1 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression in rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This randomized controlled neural and molecular biology experiment was performed at the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical Univer- sity, and the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology between July 2007 and May 2008. MATERIALS: Thirty female Wistar rats were used. Edaravone was purchased from Jiangsu Xiansheng Pharmaceutical Limited Company, China. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). Thread was inserted into the inter- nal carotid artery of the sham operation group but the middle cerebral artery was not ligated. A focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was established by inserting thread into the right middle cerebral artery. The model rats in the edaravone groups were given tail vein injections of edaravone at 3 mg/kg body weight after ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 12 or 24 hours. Ischemia/reperfusion groups (model group) received intravenous infusion of normal saline at the same volume as the edaravone groups after ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 12 or 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The volume of the ischemic region was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Notch1 and NF-κB protein and mRNA expression were meas- ured by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Protein expression was represented by the absorbance value. RESULTS: Edaravone greatly reduced the focal infarct volume. Notch1 and NF-κB protein and mRNA ex- pression were rapidly upregulated following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in model and edaravone groups compared with the sham operation group (P < 0.01). In addition, edaravone treatment significantly upregulated Notch1 expression but down-regulated NF-κB expression compared with model groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Edaravone possibly protects brain tissue from ischemia/reperfusion injury by upregulating Notch1 expression and regulating NF-κB expression. The Notch pathway is a key factor in neurogenesis and cellular apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that edaravone has aa neuroprotective role, inhibits free radical increase, and reduces cell apoptosis. The Notch pathway is a key factor in neurogenesis and cellular apoptosis. an important role in inflam- mation and oxidation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of edaravone on Notch1 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression in rats with focal cerebral ischemia / reperfusion injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This randomized controlled neural and molecular biology experiment was performed at the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical Univer- sity, and the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology between July 2007 and May 2008. MATERIALS: Thirty female Wistar rats were used. Edaravone was purchased from Jiangsu Xiansheng Pharmaceutical Limited Company, China. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided divided into five groups (n = 6). Thread was inse rted into the inter- nal carotid artery of the sham operation group but the middle cerebral artery was not ligated. The focal cerebral ischemia / reperfusion model was established by inserting thread into the right middle cerebral artery. The model rats in the edaravone groups were given tail vein injections of edaravone at 3 mg / kg body weight after ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 12 or 24 hours. Ischemia / reperfusion groups (model group) received intravenous infusion of normal saline at the same volume as the edaravone groups after ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 12 or 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The volume of the ischemic region was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Notch1 and NF-κB protein and mRNA expression were measured by immunohistochemistry and RT -PCR. Protein expression was represented by the absorbance value. RESULTS: Edaravone greatly reduced the focal infarct volume. Notch1 and NF-κB protein and mRNA ex- pression were rapidly u pregIn addition, edaravone treatment significantly upregulated Notch1 expression but down-regulated NF-κB expression compared with model groups (P <0.01) CONCLUSION: Edaravone possibly protects brain tissue from ischemia / reperfusion injury by upregulating Notch1 expression and regulating NF-κB expression.