Objective To investigate the brain protection effect of cinnamon water extract on chronic cerebral ischemia rats. Methods We selected male Wistar rats to make chronic cerebral ischemia model by bilateral carotid artery ligation permanently

and the models were randomized into a model group

cinnamon high or low dose group

with 20 in each group. A control group with 20 rats was treated with sham operation. The cinnamon high and low dose groups were given cinnamon water extract 4.2g/kg and 2.1g/kg respectively by gavage in succession for 4 weeks. Y-maze test was used to test the cognitive ability of the rats. The superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity

malondialdehyde （MDA） content

and the expressions of nerve growth factor （NGF） and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） were determined. Results Compared with the sham-operated group

the cognitive ability of the model group declined

the SOD activity of brain tissues decreased

and the MDA content increased. Cinnamon improved the SOD activity

reduced the MDA content

increased the NGF and BDNF expressions

and the effect of high-dose group was better than that of the low-dose group. Conclusion Cinnamon plays its role in cerebral protection through increasing the SOD activity and expression of NGF and BDNF and reducing content of MDA.