Abstract:::Stroke is a well-known neurological disorder that carries significant morbidity and mortality
rates worldwide. Cerebral Ischemic Stroke (CIS), the most common subtype of stroke, occurs
when thrombosis or emboli form elsewhere in the body and travel to the brain, leading to reduced
blood perfusion. Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury (CIRI) is a common complication of CIS and
arises when blood flow is rapidly restored to the brain tissue after a period of ischemia. The therapeutic
approaches currently recognized for CIS, such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy, have notable
side effects that limit their clinical application. Recently, there has been growing interest
among researchers in exploring the potential of herbal agents for treating various disorders and malignancies.
One such herbal agent with medicinal applications is tanshinone IIA, an active diterpene
quinone extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Tanshinone IIA has shown several pharmacological
benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective properties.
Multiple studies have indicated the protective role of tanshinone IIA in CIS and CIRI. This literature
review aims to summarize the current findings regarding the molecular mechanisms through
which this herbal compound improves CIS and CIRI.