Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a multiple-link

multiple-factor and multiple-pathway enzyme cascade reaction. Its occurrence and development are closely related to inflammation

oxidative stress

vascular dysfunction

apoptosis and other mechanisms. At present

there are many studies on the changes of single structure and function of specific neurons or blood brain barrier after CIRI

but a few studies on the overall structure and function of brain tissue. The neurovascular unit contains interactions of blood vessels

neurons

blood brain barriers and glial cells. After CIRI

there are a series of complex pathological changes in neuron degeneration and necrosis

blood brain barrier permeability and microglia proliferation

which eventually causes secondary brain injury. Therefore

in the treatment strategy

the signal connection between neuron-cells and non-neuronal cells was strengthened to regulate the neuro-glial cell-vascular endothelial cells in a two-way manner

promote neuronal survival and improve the repair process of synaptic remodeling and nerve regeneration. This is the material basis to guarantee the normal function and blood flow between neurovascular units

and can be used as a new therapeutic target. The concept of neurovascular unit provides a new direction for the basic research and treatment of ischemic brain injury. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has advantages of multiple components

multiple targets and overall regulation

which generally play a protective role to neurovascular units after injury protection. This article reviews the changes of neurovascular unit structure after CIRI and the mechanism of TCM regulation on it.