Therapeutic Effects of Wenxin Keli in Cardiovascular Diseases: An Experimental and Mechanism Overview

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health challenge, causing widespread morbidity and mortality.
• Wenxin Keli (WXKL), a well-established Chinese patent medicine, is recognized for its efficacy and safety in managing CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the cardioprotective and anti-arrhythmic mechanisms of Wenxin Keli (WXKL) in the context of cardiovascular diseases.
• To highlight WXKL's effects on myocardial protection and cardiac rhythm regulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of accumulating evidence from animal and cell studies investigating WXKL's effects.
• Analysis of WXKL's impact on inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and endothelial function.
• Examination of WXKL's influence on cardiac ion channels (I_Na, I_NaL, I_to, I_CaL, I_f) and arrhythmia parameters (QRS, Q-T intervals, fibrillation, tachycardia).

Main Results:

• WXKL demonstrates cardioprotection by inhibiting inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress, regulating vasomotor function, and reducing apoptosis.
• WXKL protects against myocardial ischemia, fibrosis, and hypertrophy.
• WXKL effectively shortens QRS and Q-T intervals, decreases fibrillation incidence, and reduces ventricular tachycardia episodes by modulating key ion channels.

Conclusions:

• Wenxin Keli (WXKL) exhibits significant cardioprotective and anti-arrhythmic properties beneficial for managing cardiovascular diseases.
• WXKL's therapeutic effects are mediated through a multifaceted mechanism involving inflammation inhibition, oxidative stress reduction, and precise regulation of cardiac ion channel activity.