Abstract: Objective By summarizing the research development on the protection of the active constituent of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort against ischemic cerebrovascular disease and its molecule mechanism, to provide evidence and research ideas for the further study. Methods The pertinent literatures at home in recent 15 years were analyzed, collated and summarized. Results Its main active component Tetram ethylpyrazine(TMP) could stretch blood vessel, restrain the aggregation of platelet, prevent thrombopoiesis, improve brain ischemia. The phenols Fumalic acid(FA) can also restrain the aggregation of platelet and clear oxygen radicals. Its essential oil has a protective effect against ischemic brain injuries. Conclusion TMP and FA can be against ischemic cerebrovascular disease, their mechanisms of pharmacologic actions are clear. Its essential oil also has a protective effect against ischemic brain injuries. The present study is only limited to single components and essential oil. Because Traditional Chinese Medicine are multicomponent and have complex effects, the subsequent research should be combined with the pharmacodynamics and mechanisms study of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort active ingredients, active ingredients group, effective sites, effective sites group, to provide theoretical basis for clarifying the anti-ischemic cerebrovascular disease mechanism of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort in order to guide the clinical use of drugs and innovative drug development advisablely.

Key words: Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort , ischemic cerebrovascular disease, active constituent, pharmacologic actions