Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species in Atherosclerosis via Chinese Herbal Medicines

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Jan 10:2022:1852330. doi: 10.1155/2022/1852330. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) has become the leading cause of human mortality with the coming acceleration of global population aging. Atherosclerosis is among the most common pathological changes in CCVDs. It is also a multifactorial disorder; oxidative stress caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has become an important mechanism of atherosclerosis. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a major type of natural medicine that has made great contributions to human health. CHMs are increasingly used in the auxiliary clinical treatment of atherosclerosis. Although their mechanism of action is unclear, CHMs can exert a variety of antiatherosclerosis effects by regulating intracellular ROS. In this review, we discussed the mechanism of ROS regulation in atherosclerosis and analyzed the role of CHMs in the treatment of atherosclerosis via ROS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Reactive Oxygen Species