MMP9 and ischemic stroke: Further, THSWD inhibited the infiltration and polarization of macrophages, reduced the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9, and increased the expression of IL-4, while reducing the gene and protein expression of CCL2 and CCR2.<h4>Conclusion</h4>THSWD may play a protective role in ischemic stroke by inhibiting the CCL2/CCR2 axis, reducing the infiltration of macrophages, and promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages, thereby reducing inflammatory damage, and protecting injury to the blood-brain barrier.