Affiliations: Department of Life Science, Chang Gung University,
Taoyuan, Taiwan | Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei
Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan | Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei,
Taiwan | Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan
University, Taipei, Taiwan
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Ming-Shi Shiao, Department of Life
Science, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Queishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
333. Tel.: +886 3 2118800 ext. 3495; Fax: +886 3 2118258; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, low-density lipoprotein, antioxidants, leguminosae, labiatae, Salvia miltiorrhiza
Journal: BioFactors, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 147-157, 2008
