More than a "mother-benefiting" herb: cardioprotective effect of Herba leonuri.
Herba leonuri (HL) is a famous Chinese traditional medicine with long history. Recent studies have shown that the effects of HL are versatile. In addition to its activating effect on blood flow which has been widely used in gynecological and obstetrical disorders, HL has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on ischemic diseases including myocardial infarction (MI). Experimental studies have shown that HL ameliorated myocardial ischemia, increased coronary blood flow, and improved heart functions. The underlying mechanism is proved to be its antioxidant effects including scavenging free radicals and inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species in ischemic myocardium. The antioxidant effects of HL are exerted only under the condition of oxidative stress. A significant angiogenesis promoting effect is also counted for its cardioprotective effects. Clinic trials also indicated that HL could inhibit blood platelet congregating, resist coagulation, restrain thrombosis, and improve hemorheology in patients with coronary heart diseases. This paper gives a brief review on HLos cardioprotective effects based on recent research progress.
Liu
Xin-Hua
XH
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Xin
Hong
H
Zhu
Yi-Zhun
YZ
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species