L-arabinose alleviates diabetes-aggravated cerebral ischemic injury by repairing the blood-brain barrier via downregulating NF-κB signals

•L-arabinose alleviates cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats with diabetes.•Anti-inflammatory action contributes to the beneficial effects of L-arabinose on diabetes induced cerebral ischemia.•L-arabinose improves endothelial function dysfunction induced by inflammatory cytokines via down-regulation of NF-κB signals.•L-arabinose protects blood–brain barrier against inflammatory cytokine-induced endothelial permeability and a further increase of leukocyte adhesion.