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Targeting Ferroptosis in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Emerging Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yanbin Chang1, Yan Li1, Ying Huang2
1Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Harbin, China.
Insights
Ferroptosis, a cell death form driven by iron and lipid peroxidation, significantly impacts cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers promising cardioprotective strategies by targeting ferroptosis mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death (RCD) pathway driven by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation.
- Ferroptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in CVDs.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in modulating ferroptosis for CVD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ferroptosis mechanisms and its role in cardiovascular pathology.
- Analysis of studies on TCM compounds and formulations targeting ferroptosis pathways.
- Synthesis of information on TCM's impact on iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant systems.
Main Results:
- Ferroptosis is implicated in various CVDs, making it a therapeutic target.
- Specific TCM bioactive constituents and compound formulations demonstrate cardioprotective effects.
- TCM interventions suppress ferroptosis by regulating iron, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defenses.
Conclusions:
- Targeting ferroptosis presents a novel therapeutic avenue for cardiovascular diseases.
- TCM offers a promising, multi-targeted approach for managing ferroptosis-related CVDs.
- Further research into TCM-based ferroptosis interventions can advance CVD prevention and treatment.
Abstract:
Ferroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death (RCD) characterized primarily by iron dysregulation and lipid peroxidation. Emerging evidence indicates ferroptosis critically contributes to the initiation and progression of multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis (AS), myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiomyopathy, and heart failure (HF). With growing recognition of ferroptosis's role in CVD pathogenesis, targeting ferroptosis has become a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by multicomponent, multitarget, and holistic regulatory properties. Studies have demonstrated that bioactive constituents, such as 6-gingerol, curcumin, ginsenoside Rg3, paeoniflorin, and stachydrine, and TCM compound formulations, including Danshentongluo-Detoxification Decoction, Yiqi Fumai Injection, Shexiang Baoxin Pill, and Shensong Yangxin Capsule, exert cardioprotective effects. These effects operate by suppressing ferroptosis via the modulation of iron metabolism, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and enhancement of anti-oxidant defense systems. Accordingly, this review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its pathological roles in various CVDs while placing a particular emphasis on recent advances in TCM-based ferroptosis interventions. This summary provides theoretical insights and potential research strategies both for the prevention and treatment of CVD, and for the development of related therapeutics.
