Objective:To study the expression of neuroglobin (Ngb) in rat cerebral ischemia model and the neuroprotective effect of Ngb after ischemia and hypoxia. Methods: Totally 113 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, hemorrhagic infarction (HI) group and hemin treatment group. The brain water content, infarcted tissue volume, neuropathologic changes (H-E staining) and expression of Ngb (immunocytochemical staining) were examined 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after model establishment. Results: The brain water contents and the infarcted tissue volumes in the hemin treatment group were significantly different from those of the MCAO group and HI group (P<0.01). The brain edema was obviously increased in HI group at 12 h. Neuropathologic examination showed that there were fewer necrotic neurons, milder edema and stronger Ngb expression in the Hemin treatment group than in the MCAO group and HI group. Immunocytochemical staining showed that the Ngb positive neurons in Hemin treatment group were more than those in the MCAO and HI groups. Conclusion: Earlier peak of brain edema may lead to aggravation of disease. Hemin-induced Ngb expression may relieve brain damage during focal cerebral ischemia.