Mor protects focal cerebral ischemia by promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis; the former is via Src/Erk, Ang-1/VEGFR signaling and later restrains programmed cell death, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1, caspase-3/8/9, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is brain ischemia.