Natural products from traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of heart failure: progress and perspectives

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of several cardiovascular diseases with high mortality worldwide; however, current chemical drugs have not beneficial effect on reducing its mortality rate. Due to its properties of multiple targets components with multiple targets, natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have exerts unique effects on the amelioration of the clinical symptoms of HF, yet, TCM is not widely used in the clinic since the potential therapeutic targets have not been fully investigated. Therefore, in this review, we briefly summarized the pathophysiological mechanism of HF and reviewed the published clinical evaluations of TCM and natural products from Chinese herbs to treat HF. Then, the therapeutic potential and the underlying mechanisms by which the natural products from Chinese herb exert their protective effects were further summarized. We concluded from this review that natural products from Chinese herbs have been shown to be more effective in treating HF by targeting multiple signaling pathways, including anticardiac hypertrophy, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiapoptotic activities. However, the major limitations of these compounds is that there are a lack of large scale, multicenter, randomized and controlled clinical trials for their use in treatment of HF, and the toxic effects of natural products from Chinese herbs also needed further investigation. Despite these limitations, further clinical trials and experimental studies will provide a better understanding of the mechanism of natural products from Chinese herbs and promote their wide use to treat HF.

Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on Heart Failure Patients with Middle-Range Coronary Heart Disease with Ejection Fraction

“…Inclusion criteria was as follows. In line with the relevant diagnostic criteria established by the ESC in 2016 [3] , symptoms and signs of chronic HF, and echocardiography showed LVEF of 40 % to 49 %; the New York Heart Association (NYHA) at the time of inclusion and cardiac function classification is Ⅱ-Ⅳ; the patient's cognitive function is barrier-free, there is no history of mental illness and can cooperate with physicians to complete various examinations and can communicate with physicians without barriers. TCM syndrome differentiation refers to the "Guiding Principles of Clinical Research on New Chinese Medicines" [4] , which belongs to "Yang-deficiency and water-flooding syndrome", the main symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations and shortness of breath; secondary symptoms include lower extremity edema, pale complexion and fatigue; tongue pulse-white and thin coating, dull tongue, thin and weak pulse.…”

Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Guanxinshutong Capsules in Treating Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy based on Network Pharmacology, Computer-Aided Drug Design, and Animal Experiments

“…Four different types of Chinese medicines are currently used in preclinical research and clinical treatment of PCH: classic Chinese medicine formulas (such as Zhenwu Tang), patent Chinese medicine (such as Danhong Injection and Shengmai Injection), crude extracts of Chinese herbal medicine (such as Danshen injection), and active components of Chinese herbal medicine (such as Astragaloside IV and tanshinone iia). These Chinese medicines primarily alleviate PCH symptoms through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. , GXST is a Chinese patent medicine composed of five Chinese herbal medicines, including Choerospondiasaxillaris, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, clove, borneol, and Bambusae concretio Silicea, with a weight ratio of 16:8:2:1:1, following a prescribed formulation and manufacturing process . In clinical practice, GXST has been used to treat angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and chronic heart failure. − Our previous research has indicated that under conditions of pressure overload, GXST significantly inhibits the fibroblasts into including myofibroblasts through the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway .…”

“…These Chinese medicines primarily alleviate PCH symptoms through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. 9 , 10 GXST is a Chinese patent medicine composed of five Chinese herbal medicines, including Choerospondiasaxillaris , Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, clove, borneol, and Bambusae concretio Silicea, with a weight ratio of 16:8:2:1:1, following a prescribed formulation and manufacturing process. 11 In clinical practice, GXST has been used to treat angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and chronic heart failure.…”

The Core Mechanism of Traditional Medicine Is the Rational and Effective Use of Potassium Ions

“…The use of traditional medicines, especially traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of human diseases [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]; however, so far, the mechanism of its prevention, health care and treatment of diseases is unclear. Some folk treatment methods, such as ethnic drugs, even have many mysterious colors [9].…”