A review of plant-based compounds and medicinal plants effective on atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is one of the most important cardiovascular diseases that involve vessels through the development of fatty streaks and plaques. Plant-based compounds can help treat or prevent atherosclerosis through affecting the involved factors. The main purpose of this review article is to investigate and introduce medicinal plants and their potential activities regarding antioxidant properties, effective on lipids level and development of plaque, atherosclerosis, and progression of atherosclerosis as well as the development of cardiovascular disease and ischemia. To search for the relevant articles indexed in Information Sciences Institute, PubMed, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Scopus between 1980 and 2013, with further emphasis on those indexed from 2004 to 2015, we used these search terms: atherosclerosis, antioxidant, cholesterol, inflammation, and the medicinal plants below. Then, the articles with inclusion criteria were used in the final analysis of the findings. Plant-based active compounds, including phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants, can be effective on atherosclerosis predisposing factors and hence in preventing this disease and associated harmful complications, especially through reducing cholesterol, preventing increase in free radicals, and ultimately decreasing vascular plaque and vascular resistance. Hence, medicinal plants can contribute to treating atherosclerosis and preventing its progression through reducing cholesterolemia, free radicals, inflammation, vascular resistance, and certain enzymes. They, alone or in combination with hypocholesterolemic drugs, can therefore be useful for patients with hyperlipidemia and its complications.

Quercetin inhibits TNF-α induced HUVECs apoptosis and inflammation via downregulating NF-kB and AP-1 signaling pathway in vitro

“…Flavonoids, the polyphenolic compounds ubiquitous in the plant kingdom inversely correlated with CVD, have the protective effects in atherosclerosis. [ 11 – 13 ] One of the most abundant polyphenolic compounds is quercetin, which has anti-atherosclerotic effects in human and animals, [ 14 , 15 ] and has been shown to have the ability to fight against inflammation. [ 16 , 17 ]…”

Salvianolic Acid B and Ginsenoside Re Synergistically Protect Against Ox-LDL-Induced Endothelial Apoptosis Through the Antioxidative and Antiinflammatory Mechanisms

“…It is included in the 1995 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The main therapeutic components of this formula is from S. miltiorrhizae and Notoginseng Radix ; these components can be used to treat atherosclerosis ( Sedighi et al, 2017 ), but it is not clearly what kind of the active substances produce therapeutic effects on anti-atherosclerosis? How make up a prescription can exert most effective protection on anti-atherosclerosis?…”

The Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Linum usitatissimum in Balb/c Mice

“…Linum usitatissimum L has analgesic activity partially like morphine. Regarding the safety and possessing antioxidant and various effects of plants with antioxidant activities, 31 – 35 L usitatissimum might be used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, as well as treatment of for other diseases.…”