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Targeting Foam Cell Formation in Atherosclerosis: Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products
Dongdong Wang1, Yang Yang1, Yingnan Lei1
1The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China (D.W., X.L.); Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland (D.W., Y.Y., Y.L., A.G.A.); Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.G.A.); Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland (D.W.); Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev," Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria (N.T.T.); Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany (N.T.T.); Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York (S.X.); Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China (A.W.K.Y.); and Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria (A.G.A.).
Abstract:
Foam cell formation and further accumulation in the subendothelial space of the vascular wall is a hallmark of atherosclerotic lesions. Targeting foam cell formation in the atherosclerotic lesions can be a promising approach to treat and prevent atherosclerosis. The formation of foam cells is determined by the balanced effects of three major interrelated biologic processes, including lipid uptake, cholesterol esterification, and cholesterol efflux. Natural products are a promising source for new lead structures. Multiple natural products and pharmaceutical agents can inhibit foam cell formation and thus exhibit antiatherosclerotic capacity by suppressing lipid uptake, cholesterol esterification, and/or promoting cholesterol ester hydrolysis and cholesterol efflux. This review summarizes recent findings on these three biologic processes and natural products with demonstrated potential to target such processes. Discussed also are potential future directions for studying the mechanisms of foam cell formation and the development of foam cell-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Natural products offer potential anti-atherosclerotic effects by targeting foam cell formation. This review explores how these compounds influence lipid uptake, cholesterol esterification, and efflux, crucial processes in atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Foam cell formation is a key characteristic of atherosclerotic lesions.
- Targeting foam cell development presents a viable strategy for treating and preventing atherosclerosis.
- Foam cell formation is regulated by the interplay of lipid uptake, cholesterol esterification, and cholesterol efflux.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the biologic processes regulating foam cell formation.
- To summarize natural products with potential to target these processes.
- To discuss future directions for foam cell-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific findings.
- Analysis of natural products' effects on lipid metabolism in foam cells.
- Synthesis of information on anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Natural products can inhibit foam cell formation by modulating lipid uptake, cholesterol esterification, and cholesterol efflux.
- Several natural products demonstrate anti-atherosclerotic capacity through these mechanisms.
- Understanding these processes is key to developing targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Natural products represent a promising avenue for developing novel anti-atherosclerotic therapies.
- Targeting the key biologic processes of foam cell formation holds therapeutic potential.
- Further research into foam cell mechanisms and natural product interactions is warranted.
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