Research Progress on Nanomaterials in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

© 2026 by the Author. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )

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Abstract

The efficacy of ischemic stroke treatment is limited by a narrow therapeutic window, the blood-brain barrier, and secondary damage driven by oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades following reperfusion. Nanomaterials can enhance blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and increase accumulation in the ischemic penumbra through interface engineering and biomimetic modification. They can also integrate synergistic interventions such as antioxidant therapy, immune and inflammatory regulation, and vascular/neural repair, while incorporating imaging-guided delivery and microenvironment-responsive release to improve therapeutic precision. This review focuses on the preparation strategies and targeted design of nanomedicines for stroke. It summarizes the structural characteristics and mechanisms of action of liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic/hybrid systems, and cell-mimetic delivery platforms. It discusses recent research progress regarding their roles in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulating microglial polarization, inhibiting inflammatory amplification loops, and promoting neurovascular repair, and concludes by outlining key challenges in large-scale production, biosafety, and clinical translation.

Keywords

Ischemic stroke

Nanomedicine

Blood-brain barrier

Reactive oxygen species

Neurovascular unit

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No.: 82372029, 22205133), Discipline Construction of Pudong New Area Health Commission (Project No.: PWZxk2022-03), Shanghai Pudong New District Health Committee Health Industry Special Project (Project No.: PW2024E-02) and The Investigator-initiated Trial Program of Shanghai Pudong New Area Health Commission (the Cohort Study Program) (Project No.: 2025-PWDL-24).

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