Research progress of acupuncture combined with mesenchymal stem cell therapy for stroke

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2026.10.1419

Abstract

Abstract: Stroke can lead to sequelae such as limb paralysis and speech impairment. Clinically, the delivery of relevant neurotropic drugs into the brain is hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which imposes significant limitations on patient treatment.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is a new strategy for stroke treatment currently. Its pluripotent differentiation potential and paracrine capabilities can promote immune regulation, angiogenesis, and neural circuit reconstruction. However, many challenges still need to be overcome before its therapeutic application. Acupuncture can enhance the efficacy of MSCs in treating stroke by inhibiting inflammatory responses, activating cell signaling pathways, and promoting neural functional differentiation. This article explores the molecular mechanism of the synergistic effect between the two and discusses the innovative application of interdisciplinary technologies in clinical translation.

Key words: stroke, acupuncture, mesenchymal stem cells, blood-brain barrier

CLC Number:

R246.9

CAI Qian, JIANG Tianxiang, PAN Zixin, GAN Lin, MA Congcong, LIN Xianming. Research progress of acupuncture combined with mesenchymal stem cell therapy for stroke[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2026, 46(10): 1419-1423.

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