Background　Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have threatened the human health seriously. Ischemic stroke is the second largest cause to death over 60 years old in China. Combining with the high disability rate， the ischemic stroke has caused public concern. Previous trials aimed to target neuron injury mechanisms. However， studies have shown that astrocytes， the largest number of brain cells， play a key role in central nervous system function， such as organize the structural architecture of the brain， help to organize communication pathways， and modulate neuronal plasticity， which make them a viable target for manipulation after brain injury.　Objective　To explore the role of astrocytes in cerebral ischemic injury.　Content　The review focus on the physiological function of astrocytes， changes of morphology and function of astrocytes in cerebral ischemic injury， and astrocyte-mediated neuroprotection.　Trend　Astrocytes are expected to become a new target for the treatment of cerebral ischemic injury.