Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review

Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, despite advancements in acute intervention and rehabilitation strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) systems; including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and mind-body interventions...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. Sowmiya, Rukaiah Fatma Begum, L. S. Dhivya, Praveen Rajendran, N. Harikrishnan, Ankul Singh S
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1561688/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849689084738404352
author S. Sowmiya
Rukaiah Fatma Begum
L. S. Dhivya
Praveen Rajendran
N. Harikrishnan
Ankul Singh S
author_facet S. Sowmiya
Rukaiah Fatma Begum
L. S. Dhivya
Praveen Rajendran
N. Harikrishnan
Ankul Singh S
author_sort S. Sowmiya
collection DOAJ
description Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, despite advancements in acute intervention and rehabilitation strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) systems; including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and mind-body interventions are increasingly being explored as adjunct therapies in stroke management. This narrative review evaluates the current evidence supporting TCIM approaches for ischemic stroke, highlighting their potential neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cerebrovascular effects. Particular emphasis is placed on well-studied botanical interventions such as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge [Lamiaceae; Salviae miltiorrhizae radix et rhizoma], Ginkgo biloba L. [Ginkgoaceae; Ginkgo folium], and Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. [Araliaceae; Ginseng radix]. The review discusses the mechanisms of action, clinical trial outcomes, and integration challenges, while underscoring the need for standardization, quality control, and rigorous scientific validation. This work aims to support informed decisions regarding the integration of evidence-based TCIM practices into conventional stroke care protocols.
format Article
id doaj-art-bb074637dfea49f0aac24ff38b9f798d
institution DOAJ
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-bb074637dfea49f0aac24ff38b9f798d2025-08-20T03:21:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-05-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15616881561688Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative reviewS. Sowmiya0Rukaiah Fatma Begum1L. S. Dhivya2Praveen Rajendran3N. Harikrishnan4Ankul Singh S5Department of Pharmacology, Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaInstitute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of pharmaceutical analysis, Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaIschemic stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, despite advancements in acute intervention and rehabilitation strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) systems; including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and mind-body interventions are increasingly being explored as adjunct therapies in stroke management. This narrative review evaluates the current evidence supporting TCIM approaches for ischemic stroke, highlighting their potential neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cerebrovascular effects. Particular emphasis is placed on well-studied botanical interventions such as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge [Lamiaceae; Salviae miltiorrhizae radix et rhizoma], Ginkgo biloba L. [Ginkgoaceae; Ginkgo folium], and Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. [Araliaceae; Ginseng radix]. The review discusses the mechanisms of action, clinical trial outcomes, and integration challenges, while underscoring the need for standardization, quality control, and rigorous scientific validation. This work aims to support informed decisions regarding the integration of evidence-based TCIM practices into conventional stroke care protocols.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1561688/fullischemic stroketraditionalcomplementaryand integrative medicineneuroinflammationoxidative stress
spellingShingle S. Sowmiya
Rukaiah Fatma Begum
L. S. Dhivya
Praveen Rajendran
N. Harikrishnan
Ankul Singh S
Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
Frontiers in Pharmacology
ischemic stroke
traditional
complementary
and integrative medicine
neuroinflammation
oxidative stress
title Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
title_full Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
title_fullStr Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
title_short Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
title_sort traditional complementary and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke a narrative review
topic ischemic stroke
traditional
complementary
and integrative medicine
neuroinflammation
oxidative stress
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1561688/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ssowmiya traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview
AT rukaiahfatmabegum traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview
AT lsdhivya traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview
AT praveenrajendran traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview
AT nharikrishnan traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview
AT ankulsinghs traditionalcomplementaryandintegrativemedicineinthemanagementofischemicstrokeanarrativereview