The TASTE-SL trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of sublingual edaravone dexborneol in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial enrolled 914 patients aged 18-80 years with AIS within 48 hours of symptom onset. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual edaravone dexborneol (30 mg edaravone + 6 mg dexborneol) or placebo twice daily for 14 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or less at 90 days. The edaravone dexborneol group showed a significantly higher proportion of favorable outcomes (64.4%) compared to the placebo group (54.7%). Adverse events were similar between the two groups. Sublingual edaravone dexborneol improved functional outcomes at 90 days without increasing adverse events. The drug is a multitarget brain cytoprotective agent composed of edaravone and dexborneol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Sublingual administration allows rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, offering a convenient and fast-acting alternative to intravenous administration. The study suggests that sublingual edaravone dexborneol could improve functional outcomes in AIS patients compared to placebo. Limitations include the exclusion of patients receiving endovascular therapy and the focus on patients with mild strokes. The findings support the use of sublingual edaravone dexborneol as a potential treatment for AIS.The TASTE-SL trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of sublingual edaravone dexborneol in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial enrolled 914 patients aged 18-80 years with AIS within 48 hours of symptom onset. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual edaravone dexborneol (30 mg edaravone + 6 mg dexborneol) or placebo twice daily for 14 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or less at 90 days. The edaravone dexborneol group showed a significantly higher proportion of favorable outcomes (64.4%) compared to the placebo group (54.7%). Adverse events were similar between the two groups. Sublingual edaravone dexborneol improved functional outcomes at 90 days without increasing adverse events. The drug is a multitarget brain cytoprotective agent composed of edaravone and dexborneol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Sublingual administration allows rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, offering a convenient and fast-acting alternative to intravenous administration. The study suggests that sublingual edaravone dexborneol could improve functional outcomes in AIS patients compared to placebo. Limitations include the exclusion of patients receiving endovascular therapy and the focus on patients with mild strokes. The findings support the use of sublingual edaravone dexborneol as a potential treatment for AIS.