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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Preparation of Herbal Medicine: Er-Xian Decoction and Er-Xian-containing Serum for In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments
Published on: May 31, 2017
Modulation of atherosclerosis-related signaling pathways by Chinese herbal extracts: Recent evidence and perspectives
Changxing Liu1, Xinyi Guo2, Xulong Zhang3
1Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Insights
Atherosclerosis, a major cause of heart disease, involves complex signaling pathways. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers promising, safer treatments by modulating these pathways, aiding cardiovascular disease management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading global cause of death.
- Its development involves inflammation, oxidative stress, and various signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt and NF-κB.
- Current statin therapies have limitations and adverse effects, driving the search for alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review signaling pathways in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- To explore Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) extracts as potential therapeutic agents.
- To provide a reference for clinical cardiovascular disease management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of original articles from major scientific databases (Google Scholar, Medline, CNKI, Scopus, Pubmed).
- Focus on signaling pathways and TCM's role in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of mechanisms of TCM active ingredients.
Main Results:
- Identified key signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB, JAK/STAT) in atherosclerosis.
- Highlighted TCM's potential in modulating these pathways.
- Demonstrated TCM's role in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusions:
- Atherosclerosis pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving numerous signaling pathways.
- TCM presents a viable strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
- Further research into TCM extracts can lead to safer and more effective therapies.
Abstract:
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a preeminent cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The onset of atherosclerosis underpins the emergence of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). Its pathogenesis entails multiple factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, vascular endothelial damage, foam cell formation, and platelet activation. Furthermore, it triggers the activation of diverse signaling pathways including Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), NF-E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), the Notch signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), nucleotide oligo-structural domain-like receptor thermoprotein structural domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3), silencing information regulator 2-associated enzyme 1 (Sirt1), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), Circular RNA (Circ RNA), MicroRNA (mi RNA), Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT). Over recent decades, therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis have been dominated by the utilization of high-intensity statins to reduce lipid levels, despite significant adverse effects. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the development of safer and more efficacious drugs and therapeutic modalities. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a vital strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous studies have detailed the mechanisms through which TCM active ingredients modulate signaling molecules and influence the atherosclerotic process. This article reviews the signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the advancements in research on TCM extracts for prevention and treatment, drawing on original articles from various databases including Google Scholar, Medline, CNKI, Scopus, and Pubmed. The objective is to furnish a reference for the clinical management of cardiovascular diseases.
