Research progress of active compounds from traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of stroke

Stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease that is categorized into two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The pathological mechanisms of ischemic stroke are complex and diverse, encompassing processes such as neuroinflammation and apoptosis. The pathological processes of hemorrhagic stroke primarily involve the disruption of the blood-brain barrier and cerebral edema. Western medical treatment methods show certain effectiveness during the acute phase of stroke, but they are limited by a narrow therapeutic window and secondary injuries. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and unique advantages in treating stroke. Studies confirm that active compounds derived from TCM exert multi-pathway, multi-target effects, significantly improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing adverse reactions. However, due to the complexity of the components in TCM, research on monomeric components still faces challenges. This article reviews the relevant research progress published in domestic and international journals over the past twenty years regarding the mechanisms of action of monomeric components of TCM in the treatment of stroke, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical application of TCM in stroke treatment and further new drug development.