TNF and brain ischemia: Current research shows that proinflammatory cytokines are modulators of cardiovascular function by a variety of mechanisms. L. wallichii was found to be related to anti-inflammatory activity by reducing serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels [11]. L. wallichii also inhibited production of TNF-α and IL-1β activated by cerebral ischemia [12, 13].