Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Network Pharmacology Prediction and Metabolomics Validation of the Mechanism of Fructus Phyllanthi against Hyperlipidemia
Published on: April 7, 2023
Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases with Plant Phytochemicals: A Review
Rakesh Kumar Bachheti1,2, Limenew Abate Worku1,2, Yilma Hunde Gonfa1,3
1Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Sciences and Technology University, P.O. Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death globally. This study examines 92 plants and their phytochemicals, like flavonoids and terpenoids, for potential CVD prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Traditional Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of mortality, responsible for 17.9 million deaths annually.
- Death rates from CVD increase with age, and women experience higher mortality rates (51%) compared to men (42%).
- Many individuals utilize traditional plant-derived medicines (phytochemicals) for CVD management, either alongside or instead of conventional drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
- To identify specific plant compounds and their mechanisms of action against CVD.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed the therapeutic efficacy of 92 plants, including 15 terrestrial species, for CVD treatment.
- Identified key phytochemicals such as flavonoids, polyphenols, plant sterols, plant sulfur compounds, and terpenoids in these plants.
- Examined the proposed mechanisms of action for these phytochemicals in combating CVD.
Main Results:
- Identified several well-known medicinal plants with potential CVD therapeutic properties, including *Daucus carota*, *Ginkgo biloba*, and *Terminalia arjuna*.
- Highlighted the roles of various phytochemicals: flavonoids prevent LDL oxidation and promote vasodilation; plant sterols reduce cholesterol absorption; plant sulfur compounds activate Nrf2 and inhibit cholesterol synthesis.
- Quinones increase mitochondrial ATP production, while terpenoids reduce atherosclerotic lesions.
Conclusions:
- Medicinal plants contain numerous physiologically active compounds with recognized biological effects beneficial for cardiovascular health.
- Despite the identified benefits, further research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms and specific phytochemicals responsible for CVD treatment.
- There is a need for developing appropriate CVD prevention and treatment strategies, potentially incorporating these plant-derived compounds.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the world's leading killers, accounting for 30% deaths. According to the WHO report, CVDs kill 17.9 million people per year, and there will be 22.2 million deaths from CVD in 2030. The death rates rise as people get older. Regarding gender, the death rate of women by CVD (51%) is higher than that of men (42%). To decrease and prevent CVD, most people rely on traditional medicine originating from the plant (phytochemicals) in addition to or in preference to commercially available drugs to recover from their illness. The CVD therapy efficacy of 92 plants, including 15 terrestrial plants, is examined. Some medicinal plants well known to treat CVD are, Daucus carota, Nerium oleander, Amaranthus Viridis, Ginkgo biloba, Terminalia arjuna, Picrorhiza kurroa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Tinospora cordifolia, Mucuna pruriens, Hydrocotyle asiatica, Bombax ceiba, and Andrographis paniculate. The active phytochemicals found in these plants are flavonoids, polyphenols, plant sterol, plant sulphur compounds, and terpenoids. A general flavonoid mechanism of action is to prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation, which promotes vasodilatation. Plant sterols prevent CVD by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the blood. Plant sulphur compound also prevent CVD by activation of nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. Quinone decreases the risk of CVD by increasing ATP production in mitochondria while terpenoids by decreasing atherosclerotic lesion in the aortic valve. Although several physiologically active compounds with recognized biological effects have been found in various plants because of the increased prevalence of CVD, appropriate CVD prevention and treatment measures are required. More research is needed to understand the mechanism and specific plants' phytochemicals responsible for treating CVD.
More Related Videos
12:00Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro
Published on: July 5, 2017
07:40Protection of H9c2 Myocardial Cells from Oxidative Stress by Crocetin via PINK1/Parkin Pathway-Mediated Mitophagy
Published on: May 26, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:18Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care