Abstract
Background
Medicinal
plants have been used in patients with congestive heart failure,
systolic hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, cerebral
insufficiency, venous insufficiency and arrhythmia since centuries. A
recent increase in the popularity of alternative medicine and natural
products has revived interest in traditional remedies that have been
used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Aim
The
purpose of this review is to provide updated, comprehensive and
categorized information on the history and traditional uses of some
herbal medicines that affect the cardiovascular system in order to
explore their therapeutic potential and evaluate future research
opportunities.
Methods
Systematic
literature searches were carried out and the available information on
various medicinal plants traditionally used for cardiovascular disorders
was collected via electronic search (using Pubmed, SciFinder, Scirus,
GoogleScholar, JCCC@INSTIRC and Web of Science) and a library search for
articles published in peer-reviewed journals. No restrictions regarding
the language of publication were imposed.
Results
This article highlights the cardiovascular effects of four potent traditional botanicals viz. Garlic (Allium sativum), Guggul (Commiphora wightii), Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) and Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna).
Although these plants have been used in the treatment of heart disease
for hundreds of years, current research methods show us they can be
utilized effectively in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases
including ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias
and hypertension.
Conclusion
Although
the mechanisms of action are not very clear, there is enough evidence
of their efficacy in various cardiovascular disorders. However, for
bringing more objectivity and also to confirm traditional claims, more
systematic, well-designed animal and randomized clinical studies with
sufficient sample sizes are necessary. Multidisciplinary research is
still required to exploit the vast potential of these plants. Potential
synergistic and adverse side effects of herb–drug interactions also need
to be studied. These approaches will help in establishing them as
remedies for cardiovascular diseases and including them in the
mainstream of healthcare system.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Cardiovascular disorders;
- Medicinal plants;
- Allium sativum;
- Commiphora wightii;
- Crataegus oxyacantha;
- Terminalia arjuna
Abbreviations
- AIIMS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences;
- BAR, bile acid receptor;
- BNP, brain natriuretic peptide;
- CAD, coronary artery disease;
- CAZRI, Central Arid Zone Research Institute;
- CCRAS, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha;
- CDRI, Central Drug Research Institute;
- CHF, congestive heart failure;
- CIMAP, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants;
- CVDs, cardiovascular diseases;
- CYP7A1, cholesterol 7- alpha-hydroxylase/cytochrome P450 7A1;
- FXR, farnesoid X receptor;
- HDL, high density lipoprotein;
- KCCQ, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire;
- LDL, low density lipoprotein;
- NMPB, National Medicinal Plants Board;
- NYHA, New York Heart Association;
- OPC, oligomeric procyanidins;
- PGE2, prostaglandin E2;
- PXR, pregnane X receptor;
- STZ, streptozotocin.
- Corresponding author. Tel:
+91 0522 2297819.
Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier GmbH
