AIM: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of deocanthal OC in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIAL and METHODS: Twenty-six adult male, Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was the sham group (n=5). Group 2 was the trauma group (n=5) where rats were treated with 10 mg/kg saline intraperitoneally (IP) twice a day. Groups 3 and 4, rats were treated with 10 (group 3, n=8) or 30 (group 4, n=8) mg/kg OC IP twice a day. For each group, brain samples were collected 72 hours after injury. Brain samples and blood were evaluated with histopathological and biochemical methods. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation revealed a significant difference between Group 2 and Group 4. Biochemical findings demonstrated that the oxidative stress index was highest in Group 2 and lowest in Group 4. CONCLUSION: OC has a protective effect on neural cells after TBI. This effect is achieved by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.