Objectives : This study aimed at evaluation of the effects of Rhodiola rosea on brain edema and expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) related to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Methods : Brain edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was induced by the stereotaxic intrastriatal injection of bacterial collagenase type VII in rats (Sprague-Dawley). Then ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea was treated once a day for 3 days. Brain edema % and water contents, and BBB leakage were examined. Immunohistochemistry was processed for MMP-9, MMP-12, and iNOS expressions in the brain sections and each immuno-labeled cells were analyzed with image analysis software. Results : 1. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced brain edema following ICH in rats significantly. 2. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced excessive brain tissue water contents following ICH in rats significantly. 3. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced BBB leakage in the cerebral cortex following ICH in rats. 4. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced cellular edema of neurons in peri-hematoma and the cerebral cortex following ICH in rats significantly. 5. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced MMP-9 positive cells in the cerebral cortex following ICH in rats significantly. 6. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced MMP-12 positive vessels in the cerebral cortex following ICH in rats significantly. 7. Ethanol extract of Rhodiola rosea reduced iNOS positive cells in the cerebral cortex and external capsule following ICH in rats significantly. Conclusions : These results suggest that Rhodiola rosea reveals protective effect against brain edema and cytotoxic edema of neurons by means of down-regulation of MMPs and iNOS expressions, and inhibition of BBB leakage.