L-carnosine inhibits neuronal cell apoptosis through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway after acute focal cerebral ischemia

► L-carnosine reduces infarct volume after ischemic stroke. ► L-carnosine improves the function of hemiplegic forepaws after ischemic stroke. ► L-carnosine up-regulates the expression of STAT3 and Pim-1 after ischemic stroke. ► L-carnosine up-regulates the expression of bcl-2 after ischemic stroke. ► L-carnosine inhibits the caspase-3 activation after ischemic stroke.