The effect of pretreatment with Ginseng or DMF on neuroinflammation following HI was examined by measuring the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators iNOS, IL-1β and IL-10 in peri-infarct regions of striatum and cortex at 24 h after HI (n = 4 per group). Compared to sham controls, ischemic injury evoked significant increase in above markers. Pretreatment with Ginseng or DMF significantly suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory mediator iNOS and IL-1β and promoted anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression following HI in WT, but not Nrf2−/− mice. In contrast, Nrf2 deficiency exacerbated the neuroinflammation induced by HI indicated by the increase of iNOS and IL-1β and decreased IL-10 at mRNA levels in both brain regions. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, #P < 0.05.