AR and ischemic stroke: Hence, on the basis of this background, the present study was designed: (1) to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of AR against ischemic stroke after cerebral I/R injury in a rat MCAO model, (2) to determine the molecular mechanism of anti-apoptotic effect of AR by performing OGD/R model on rat cortical neurons, and (3) to provide further information for future development of novel neuroprotective agents.