Objective To explore the role of parecoxib in protection of learning and memory ablility in rats with global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham group (S group), a ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group), and a ischemia/reperfusion with parecoxib group (I/R+PA group). Global cerebral ischemia was induced by Pulsinelli 4-vessel occlusion. 72 h after reperfusion, Morris water maze was used to assess spatial learning and memory ability for consecutive five days. The histological changes in the hippocampus were detected by Nissl staining. Results As compared with the I/R group, rats in S guoup and I/R+PA group had a significantly shortened escape latency (P<0.05), and had significantly longer dwelling time in the former platform quadrant and more frequent cross-platform movement in the Morris water maze test. Conclusions Parecoxib plays a role in protection of learning and memory ability in rats with global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.