Background and purpose: Lavender is a medicinal plant with antioxidant activity. Stroke causes long term disability and is associated with oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of lavender extract against blood brain barrier permeability and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were used. The rats were divided into 6 groups (n= 7 per group). Group 1 was ischemic, groups 2 and 3 were ischemic that were given 100 and 200 mg/kg lavender extract, respectively. Group 4 were intact and groups 5 and 6 were intact groups which received lavender extract with dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Group 7 was also considered as the sham. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 hr. Data were analysed with SPSS and comparison of means were compared using One Way Anova. Results: The ethanolic extract of lavender at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the blood brain barrier permeability in rat stroke model compared with ischemic group. Conclusion: The results indicate that lavender extract has neuroprotective activity against cerebral ischemia and alleviated neurological function in rats
