TNF and brain ischemia: TNF-α, mainly derives from activated glial cells, especially microglia, has complex biological activities, and its inhibitors can alleviate cerebral I/R injury [51].Previous researches demonstrated that a variety of TCM monomers could exert neuroprotective effects by reducing the levels of the inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by brain ischemia reperfusion [52–54].