Research Progress Regarding the Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Stroke on the Nervous System

Abstract. Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Acupuncture, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has received considerable attention recently for its use in stroke-related nervous system treatments. Acupuncture exerts therapeutic effects through multiple mechanisms, including stimulating and regulating related factors and signaling pathways to play anti-inflammatory, neuronal repair and protective effects; controlling glial cell polarization to promote self-repair after brain injury, etc. Acupuncture has been shown to markedly decrease the inflammatory response following a stroke, facilitate nerve regeneration and cell proliferation within the central nervous system, enhance cerebral blood flow in ischemic regions, diminish neuron apoptosis, and ultimately lead to improvements in neurological function and quality of life for stroke patients. Nevertheless, the precise neural mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects on stroke remain incompletely elucidated, warranting further comprehensive investigation. This article reviews the research progress on the neural mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke in recent years, with a view to providing scientific basis and reference for its clinical application.