Zhong Chao, Deng Keke, Lang Xiaoya, Shan Dan, Xie Yanfei, Pan Wen, Yu Jun
Center for Translational Medicine, Discipline of Chinese and Western Integrative Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China.
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Pharmacol Ther. 2025 Jul;271:108864. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2025.108864. Epub 2025 Apr 22.
Atherosclerosis and its associated cardiovascular complications remain significant global public health challenges, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. Endothelial cells are critical for maintaining vascular health and homeostasis, and their dysfunction is a key contributor to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Targeting endothelial dysfunction has, therefore, emerged as a promising approach for the prevention and management of atherosclerosis. Among natural products, flavonoids, a diverse class of plant-derived phenolic compounds, have garnered significant attention for their anti-atherosclerotic properties. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that flavonoids can mitigate endothelial dysfunction, highlighting their potential as endothelial dysfunction-targeted therapeutics for atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the roles of natural flavonoids in modulating various aspects of endothelial dysfunction and their therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also discuss the challenges and future prospects of translating natural flavonoids into clinical applications for cardiovascular medicine. This review aims to provide critical insights to advance the development of novel endothelium-protective pharmacotherapies for atherosclerosis.
动脉粥样硬化及其相关的心血管并发症仍然是全球重大的公共卫生挑战，这凸显了对有效治疗策略的迫切需求。内皮细胞对于维持血管健康和内环境稳定至关重要，其功能障碍是动脉粥样硬化发生和发展的关键因素。因此，针对内皮功能障碍已成为预防和管理动脉粥样硬化的一种有前景的方法。在天然产物中，黄酮类化合物是一类多样的植物源性酚类化合物，因其抗动脉粥样硬化特性而备受关注。越来越多的证据表明，黄酮类化合物可以减轻内皮功能障碍，凸显了它们作为针对动脉粥样硬化的内皮功能障碍靶向治疗药物的潜力。在本综述中，我们总结了关于天然黄酮类化合物在调节内皮功能障碍各个方面的作用及其对动脉粥样硬化的治疗效果的现有知识，重点关注潜在的分子机制。我们还讨论了将天然黄酮类化合物转化为心血管医学临床应用的挑战和未来前景。本综述旨在提供关键见解，以推动针对动脉粥样硬化的新型内皮保护药物疗法的发展。
