In search of antioxidants and anti-atherosclerotic agents from herbal medicines

Many recent studies have suggested that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Herbal regimens in the treatment of blood stasis, a counterpart of atherosclerosis, commonly use medicinal plants of leguminosae and labiatae. We have developed disease-oriented screening methods to search for bioactive components, particularly isoflavones in leguminosae and polyphenols in labiatae from Chinese herbal medicines. Many bioactive components and active fractions capable of inhibiting a. Cu(II)-induced LDL oxidation, b. oxidized LDL-induced endothelial damage, c. uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophages (J774A.1), and d. expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have been identified. A polyphenol, namely salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza was identified to be a potent antioxidant, endothelial-protecting agent, and an inhibitor to suppress the expression of ICAM and VCAM. This review also briefly describes the strategy for developing herbal medicines as anti-atherosclerotic agents.