Ischemic strokes, which occur when a clot in a blood vessel blocks blood from getting to the brain, is the most common type of stroke. In fact, ischemic strokes account for nearly 87% of all strokes that occur. The standard of care for these strokes involves medication or procedures designed to break up a clot in a vessel and restore blood flow. However, because these medications come after the fact and focus solely on treating the clot itself, there is still a concern about the health outcomes of people experiencing ischemic stroke and how to improve them.
According to preliminary study results, researchers found that a medication derived from celery seed could improve overall health outcomes for people who experience an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot. Results from the study were presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Conference, which was held in Dallas, TX and online, between February 8 and 10. More information about the study can be found on clinicaltrials.gov.
Specifically, the celery seed-derived medication is called butylphthalide. In the past, clinical trials have suggested that butylphthalide may offer a range of neurologically-protective benefits, particularly in people experiencing damage from ischemic strokes, largely because butylphthalide could help with oxidative stress and inflammation following a stroke. In fact, butylphthalide has been used for treatment following an ischemic stroke for nearly 20 years to protect the brain from significant damage following a stroke, highlighting its potential as a stroke treatment.
To further test butylphthalide’s role in stroke care outcomes, researchers used a placebo-controlled study that included 1,216 participants in China who had experienced an ischemic stroke. Half of patients received standard of care medication designed to break up a close as well as butylphthalide, while others received only standard of care medication. Overall, researchers found that people who received butylphthalide tended to have much milder neurological symptoms, and had better functional outcomes three months post-stroke, compared to stroke patients who only received standard of care treatment.
Sources: Eurekalert!; clinicaltrials.gov; ASA
