Melissa officinalis L. as a Nutritional Strategy for Cardioprotection

Abstract

This review aimed to provide a summary on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities in the cardiovascular system and cardiotoxicity of Melissa officinalis (MO), with the special emphasis on the protective mechanisms in different cardiovascular pathologies. MO is a perennial aromatic herb commonly known as lemon balm, honey balm, or bee balm, which belongs to Lamiaceae family. Active components are mainly located in the leaves or essential oil and include volatile compounds, terpenoid (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes), and polyphenolic compounds [rosmarinic acid (RA), caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, quercitrin, rhamnocitrin, luteolin]. For centuries, MO has been traditionally used as a remedy for memory, cognition, anxiety, depression, and heart palpitations. Up until now, several beneficial cardiovascular effects of MO, in the form of extracts (aqueous, alcoholic, and hydroalcoholic), essential oil, and isolated compounds, have been confirmed in preclinical animal studies, such as antiarrhythmogenic, negative chronotropic and dromotropic, hypotensive, vasorelaxant, and infarct size–reducing effects. Nonetheless, MO effects on heart palpitations are the only ones confirmed in human subjects. The main mechanisms proposed for the cardiovascular effects of this plant are antioxidant free radical–scavenging properties of MO polyphenols, amelioration of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, activation of M2 and antagonism of β1 receptors in the heart, blockage of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, prevention of fibrotic changes, etc. Additionally, the main active ingredient of MO-RA, per se, has shown substantial cardiovascular effects. Because of the vastness of encouraging data from animal studies, this plant, as well as the main ingredient RA, should be considered and investigated further as a tool for cardioprotection and adjuvant therapy in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Melissa officinalis L. Supplementation Provides Cardioprotection in a Rat Model of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis

“…Also, MOE treatment decreased collagen content, suggesting again that MOE200 can prevent myocarditis-induced fibrosis and subsequent heart remodeling [ 27 ]. Mentioned effects achieved by MOE administration are most likely connected to its strong anti-inflammatory properties proved in vivo in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model [ 11 ], but also in other models of cardiovascular diseases [ 17 , 33 ]. Even though MOEs have not been investigated in EAM pathology, achieved myocarditis ameliorating properties may be associated with synergistic action of its compounds, especially rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids; triterpenoids oleanolic and ursolic acids; and flavonoids quercetin, rutin, myricetin, catechin, and epigallocatechin.…”

“…Up until now, the beneficial effects of bioactive plant compounds such as curcumin, quercetin, apigenin, berberine, resveratrol, oleanolic acid, catechin, and epigallocatechin have been confirmed in EAM model [ 12 – 14 ]. Several mechanisms mediate these beneficial effects, including modulation of oxidative stress, suppression of apoptosis and fibrosis, and modulation of the immune response and cytokine concentration [ 5 , 6 , 15 – 17 ]. Nonetheless, the effects of MOEs in this pathology are entirely unexplored.…”

Short-Term Administration of Lemon Balm Extract Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Focus on Oxidative Stress

“…Preclinical investigations demonstrated beneficial effects of ME in the cardiovascular system using different animal models, including isoproterenol-induced infarction [ 18 ], left anterior descending artery ligation (LAD) model [ 19 ], and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity [ 20 ]. The majority of these studies emphasized the ability of ME to decrease heart rate, slower heart conductivity, reduce the rate of ventricular arrhythmias post-infarction, and reduce the infarct size.…”

“…One of the main proposed mechanisms of cardioprotection induced by ME refers to its strong antioxidant action, free radical scavenging ability, and amelioration of oxidative stress, but also anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic action [ 21 , 22 ]. However, the data regarding cardioprotective effects of ME in I/R injury pathology are conflicting in terms of dosing and the duration of preconditioning [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Phytotherapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…It is used against gastrointestinal disorders as a sedative and antispasmodic drug ( Ozarowski et al, 2016 ). It serves as a nutritional supplement for cardioprotection ( Draginic et al, 2021 ) as well as a hepatoprotective agent which mediates cholesterol ( Bolkent et al, 2005 ). Leaf extracts are used in the treatment of herpes ( Miraj et al, 2016 ).…”