Plant-food-derived Bioactives in Managing Hypertension: From Current Findings to Upcoming Effective Pharmacotherapies

Abstract

A sedentary lifestyle has evoked a high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, diabetes, and obesity, all of them with high morbimortality rates and with a common denominator, hypertension. Numerous pharmacological drugs have been used for the treatment of hypertension. However, the side effects associated with the use of existing pharmacological therapies have triggered a demand for plant-based medications. In this connection, the aim of this review was to provide an in-depth analysis of the use of plant-derived bioactives for the effective management of hypertension. Phytoconstituents from leaves, bark, stem, roots, seeds, and fruits of medicinal plants grown in our different regions of the globe have been highly searched. Among them, polyphenols (e.g., flavonoids as quercetin, anthocyanins as cyanidin, tannins as ellagic acid, stilbenes as resveratrol, lignans as honokiol and others as hydroxytyrosol or curcumin), organosulfur compounds (e.g. s-allyl cysteine and allicin), fatty acids (e.g. α-lipoic acid, DHA and oleic acid), alkaloids (e.g. berberine or tetrandrine) and some terpenes have been intensively investigated for the management of hypertension, with effective ability being stated in controlling high blood pressure and related health problems both in vivo and in vitro studies. Some of the activities presented by these bioactive compounds are reducing oxidative stress, renin-angiotensin system control, SIRT1 activation, regulating platelet aggregation and COX activity, anti-atherogenic effects, anti-inflammatory properties, vasorelaxation and other results that translate into the prevention or control of hypertension. The knowledge of these bioactive compounds is important in developing countries where traditional medicine is the majority, but it can also give rise to new approaches in hypertension therapy.

Isoliquiritigenin attenuates neuroinflammation after subarachnoid hemorrhage through inhibition of NF‐κB‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation

“…Genus Glycyrrhiza is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In last decades, increasing studies have reported the promising perspective of natural drugs in treating human diseases (Butnariu et al., 2023; Zafar et al., 2023). Isoliquiritigenin (2′, 4′, 4′‐trihydroxychalcone, ISL) is a flavonoid with a chalcone structure detached from licorice roots (Guo et al., 2023; Peng et al., 2015).…”

Anticancer Potential of the Plant‐Derived Saponin Gracillin: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanistic Approaches

“…[17][18][19] These studies have led to the development of plant-based medications. [20][21][22][23] In recent years, the use of phytochemicals derived from dietary components or traditional medicines to combat or prevent human diseases has received considerable public and scientific interest. [24][25][26][27][28] Natural compounds have demonstrated promising effects in the treatment of different kinds of cancer during the current stage of medication development.…”

“…The utilization of medicinal plants in healthcare dates back to ancient times, and different studies have been carried out worldwide to validate their efficacy [17–19] . These studies have led to the development of plant‐based medications [20–23] . In recent years, the use of phytochemicals derived from dietary components or traditional medicines to combat or prevent human diseases has received considerable public and scientific interest [24–28] .…”

Mung bean as a potent emerging functional food having anticancer therapeutic potential: Mechanistic insight and recent updates

“…Plant‐based foods are promising functional foods with abundant bioactive compounds and nutraceutical potential, which can improve human health and prevent the development of disease 14,15 . It has been reported that leguminous seed proteins and their peptides, including mung bean, have significant potential to regulate various biological activities 16 .…”

“…2,12,13 Plant-based foods are promising functional foods with abundant bioactive compounds and nutraceutical potential, which can improve human health and prevent the development of disease. 14,15 It has been reported that leguminous seed proteins and their peptides, including mung bean, have significant potential to regulate various biological activities. 16 Enzymatic hydrolysis of these proteins in the gut and other processes, such as heating, fermentation, pressure, or germination bring about the accumulation of bioactive compounds.…”