Hinokitiol is a natural monoterpenoid isolated from the heartwood cupressaceous plants, displaying antimicrobial activity and being used in cosmetics and tooth pastes. It was shown to induce DNA damage, autophagy and cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells, indicating its anticancer effects. In cerebral ischemic rats, treatment with hinokitiol (0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) 30 min before MCAO dose dependently attenuated cerebral ischemia and improved neurobehavioral deficits.