A recent trial has investigated the effectiveness of a celery-seed-derived drug, butylphthalide, for ischemic stroke cases.
The study showed promising results, with patients given the drug having a 70% better chance of improved neurological and general living outcomes 90 days post-stroke. The drug is already approved for use in China but not by the FDA.
The trial consisted of 1,216 patients in China admitted with acute ischemic stroke and receiving treatment to restore blood flow to the brain. The medication was given to patients alongside a tissue plasminogen activator and a mechanical clot removal procedure.
Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes in the US and are a leading cause of disability in the elderly.
More research is needed to determine how butylphthalide works in humans, but it may help protect brain tissue from damage caused by a lack of oxygenated blood.