Objective To explore the neuroprotective effects of edaravone in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-C57BL/6J-Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice and the related mechanisms. Methods Totally 90 male C57BL/6J mice were evenly randomized into edaravone (ED) group, PD model group and normal saline (NS) group. Subcutaneous injection of MPTP was used to make PD model, and ED group was then administered with ED(3 mg/kg). Rotarod number was detected by rotarod test. Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons expression in the substantia nigra (SN) of mice was observed by immunohistochemistry staining. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) mRNA and protein expression in the SN of mice were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Results Compared with NS group, rotarod numbers in ED and PD groups were significantly less (P<0.05, P<0.01), the number of TH-ir neurons in SN was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and BDNF mRNA (all P<0.01) and protein (all P<0.05) expression was significantly decreased. Compared with PD mice, rotarod number in ED mice was significantly more (P<0.05), the number of TH-ir neurons in the SN was significantly increased (P<0.05), and BDNF mRNA (P<0.01) and protein (P<0.05) expression was significantly enhanced. Conclusion ED can increase the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in the SN of C57BL/6J-PD model mice, alleviate MPTP damage, and has a protection effect on dopaminergic neurons.