Advances in nanomedicines: a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic cerebral stroke treatment

Ischemic stroke, prevalent among the elderly, necessitates attention to reperfusion injury post treatment. Limited drug access to the brain, owing to the blood–brain barrier, restricts clinical applications. Identifying efficient drug carriers capable of penetrating this barrier is crucial. Blood–brain barrier transporters play a vital role in nutrient transport to the brain. Recently, nanoparticles emerged as drug carriers, enhancing drug permeability via surface-modified ligands. This article introduces the blood–brain barrier structure, elucidates reperfusion injury pathogenesis, compiles ischemic stroke treatment drugs, explores nanomaterials for drug encapsulation and emphasizes their advantages over conventional drugs. Utilizing nanoparticles as drug-delivery systems offers targeting and efficiency benefits absent in traditional drugs. The prospects for nanomedicine in stroke treatment are promising.