Interleukin（IL）⁃38，a newly discovered anti⁃inflammatory cytokine in the IL⁃1 family，isexpressed in a variety of tissues and secreted by a variety of cells. By binding to multiple receptors such as IL⁃36R，IL⁃1RAPL1 and IL⁃1R1，IL⁃38 plays an essential role in the physiology and pathogenesis of the central nervoussystem（CNS）. IL⁃38 mitigates pathological damage by inhibiting the expression of Th17 in neuromyelitisoptica.IL⁃38 improves the symptoms of stroke by inhibiting SIRT1/HIF⁃1α signaling pathway. However，the role of IL⁃38in neurological diseases and its potential mechanism need to be further studied. This review systematically and com⁃prehensively summarizes the biological characteristics，pathological effects and potential mechanisms of IL⁃38 un⁃der physiological and pathological conditions，aiming to explore potential molecular targets and new therapeuticstrategies for CNS diseases.