 Background: Stroke accounts for significant disability and there is need for novel treatment modality which can improve the functional outcome. In this randomized clinical trial, investigators proposed to examine stem cell therapy as a potential therapeutic modality. Stem cells in animal stroke models have shown reduction in infarct size and improvement in neurological function. Only one human clinical trial with intravenous autologous marrow stromal cell therapy of five patients has shown some benefit. The primary objective of this phase II study was to explore if there is favourable risk to benefit ratio for autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear stem cell therapy BMSCs in patients with acute ischemic stroke to justify a larger phase III trial. 