Mechanisms and research progress of insect-derived medicines in intervention for ischemic stroke

Abstract

Stroke is a severe neurological disorder caused by the rupture or blockage of blood vessels, leading to significant mortality and disability. Approximately 87 % of cases can be attributed to ischemic stroke. In China, ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death among adults. Current treatments for cerebral infarction mainly include thrombolysis, antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, and vasodilation. However, their efficacy in preventing or mitigating primary brain injury remains inadequate. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing attention due to its proven efficacy and low toxicity. Numerous studies report that TCM formulas, extracts, and compound preparations exhibit pro-angiogenic activity. Insect-derived medicines, known for their actions in detoxification, eliminating pathogens, breaking blood stasis, resolving blood stasis, dispelling wind, and unblocking collaterals, show favorable efficacy in treating ischemic stroke. This paper summarizes several insect-derived medicines and their active components, elucidates their mechanisms of action in antithrombosis, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and antioxidation, and discusses current clinical applications and future research directions.