This study aimed to evaluate whether dihydroferulic acid (dFA) promoted the viability of H 2 D 2 -treated PC12 cells and functional recovery from ischemic injury. The animals were divided into four groups for the studyI: (1) the vehicle treated (saline, 1 mL/kg), (2) dFA 5 mg/kg treated, (3) dFA10 mg/kg treated, and (4) dFA 20 mg/kg treated groups. Neurological deficit was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed with

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... he protein disulphide isomerase (PDO), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes. Ommunohistochemical analysis was performed with the Oba-1 and MFG-E8 genes. dFA treatment improved the reduced viability of PC12 cells induced by H 2 D 2 in a dose-dependent manner. Dnly 50 μM of dFA significantly enhanced the transcription levels of antioxidant genes and neurotrophic factors compared to the vehicle group. In vivo dFA administration exerted a neuroprotective effect by reducing the infarct volume and enhancing behavioral function following cerebral ischemia. dFA treatment protected neuronal cells from ischemic injury and increased the transcription levels of anti-oxidant genes (PDO and Nrf2) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF and NGF). dFA treatment decreased the expression of Oba-1 and MFG-E8 genes, which signal neural cell death. Keywords: fermented rice bran extract; dihydroferulic acid; anti-oxidant genes; ischemic brain injury; neuroprotective effect. Practical Application: Dihydroferulic acid demonstrated a neuroprotective effect against ischemic brain injury and subsequently facilitated functional recovery.