Inflammatory reactions are important pathophysiological mechanisms of ischemic brain injury. The present study analyzed the anti-inflammatory characteristics of curcumin via myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide content after 2-hour ischemia/24-hour reperfusion in Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, expressions of nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β protein were measured. Curcumin significantly reduced myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide synthase activities and suppressed expressions of nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-a, and interleukin-1β in ischemia/reperfusion brain tissue. Results suggested that the neuroprotective effect of curcumin following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury could be associated with inhibition of inflammatory reactions.