Our further in vivo and in vitro results identified previously unrecognized mechanisms of hyperforin in ischemic stroke: astrocytic IL-6 inhibited Th1 cell differentiation while promoted Tregs and Th2 cell differentiation in the ischemic hemisphere, which mediated immunosuppressive environment and contributed to the promoting effects of hyperforin on neuroabgiogensis and functional recovery. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is ischemic stroke.