MMP9 and brain ischemia: The studies found that ANW reduced brain edema and intracranial pressure in cerebral ischemia and cerebral hemorrhage by regulating the expression of MMP-9 and AQP4 which were closely related to the formation of brain edema and the disruption of the BBB [21, 22]; in addition, it was able to exert neuroprotective function by reducing the inflammatory response and inhibiting oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in brain tissue of cerebral ischemia and cerebral hemorrhage [23, 24].