https://doi.org/10.5812/gct-150019

Cure and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: Herbs for Heart

authors:

avatar Sara Rashki Ghalenoo 1 , avatar Tahere Eslammanesh 2 , avatar Mehdi Jahantigh 3 , * , avatar Fatemeh Badrloo 4 , avatar Maryam Beigomi 5 , 6 , avatar Saeide Saeidi 7 , ** , avatar Fatemeh Mahmoodi 8

Department of Cardiology, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Department of Food Science and Technology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran
Corresponding Authors:
Gene, Cell and Tissue: Vol.11, issue 4; e150019
published online: October 6, 2024
article type: Review Article
received: August 5, 2024
revised: August 17, 2024
accepted: August 17, 2024

How To Cite Rashki Ghalenoo S, Eslammanesh T, Jahantigh M, Badrloo F, Beigomi M, et al. Cure and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: Herbs for Heart. Gene Cell Tissue. 2024;11(4):e150019. https://doi.org/10.5812/gct-150019.

Abstract

Context:

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for 30% of deaths worldwide, making them the leading cause of mortality. Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a microbial infection that occurs on the surface of a prosthetic valve or on a surgically reconstructed native heart valve. As age increases, the mortality rate from CVDs also rises. Additionally, gender differences were observed, with the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease being higher in women (51%) compared to men (42%).

Methods:

In this review study, English keywords such as "medicinal plants," "heart," "cardiomyopathy," and "cinnamaldehyde," as well as Persian keywords related to "medicinal plants" and "cardiovascular," were used in the title and abstract of articles. Databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the academic database of Jihad Daneshgahi were searched without a time limit until March 2021.

Results:

The results show that several medicinal plants are known to effectively treat CVDs.

Conclusions:

The findings of this review indicate that medicinal plants have a positive impact on the treatment of CVDs and can be considered as potential therapeutic options for managing these conditions.

1. Context

Despite advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, it remains the leading cause of death worldwide (1, 2). Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) accounts for 20% of infective endocarditis cases. It is the most severe form of infective endocarditis, associated with high morbidity and mortality.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines herbal medicine as encompassing plants, herbal materials, herbal products, and their effective ingredients, including parts of herbal materials (3). Currently, hundreds of herbal medicines are available, and their use has steadily increased in Western countries over the past 20 years (4-7). However, despite the rise in herbal medicine use, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the identification of active compounds, their mechanisms of action, effectiveness, as well as potential adverse effects (AEs) and drug interactions (8, 9).

Recent studies have demonstrated that natural compounds can control or inhibit factors such as oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators, both of which play a role in cardiovascular diseases (10). The therapeutic properties of medicinal plants are attributed to their bioactive compounds (11-14). Moreover, reducing the consumption of certain foods or replacing them with legumes, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and fruits contributes to better overall health (15).

2. Materials

In this review, studies were identified through online searches without any restrictions. Articles published in both Farsi and English were reviewed by searching the Iran Medex, SID, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases.

3. Results

The results of the study indicated that various parts of medicinal plants have demonstrated effectiveness in treating heart disease (see Table 1).

Table 1.

Plant Is Effective in Heart

PlantFamilyRef.
Achillea arabicaAsteraceae(16)
Ageratum conyzoidesAsteraceae(17)
Artemisia absinthiumAsteraceae(18)
Chrysanthemum × morifoliumAsteraceae(19)
Clerodendrum volubileVerbenaceae(20)
Ballota glandulosissinia.Lamiaceae(21)
Clerodendrum volubileVerbenaceae(22)
Ajuga integrifolia.Lamiaceae(23)
Leonurus cardiaca.Lamiaceae(24)
Pogostemonelsholtzioides.Lamiaceae(25)

In experimental, epidemiological, and clinical research, drinking green tea has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease (15, 26, 27). One study demonstrated that administering green tea at a concentration of 300 mg per kilogram of body weight for four weeks reduced lipid levels in diabetic rats with heart disease (28).

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), an edible and medicinal plant from the Liliaceae family, has been traditionally used in Iran for treating various diseases (29). One of its primary uses is to reduce cardiovascular risk factors (30). Freeze-dried garlic contains at least 0.45% allicin. Since 2015, numerous studies have investigated the effect of garlic consumption on blood pressure, showing that it can lead to a reduction in blood pressure in patients (31) and has long-term effects on cardiovascular mortality (32). Ancient civilizations, including those in Thebes, Greece, and Ayurvedic medicine, recognized garlic for its rejuvenating properties (33).

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) from the Linaceae family contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber as its main components (34, 35). Diets rich in fiber have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, constipation, and inflammation (36). Grape seeds (Vitis viniferae), one of the most abundant fruit crops globally, are rich in phenolic compounds (37-40). Some uncommon side effects associated with grape seed extract include itching, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, sore throat, and cough (41).

The medicinal plant Silybum marianum, a member of the Asteraceae or Compositae family, contains thorns and pearls (42). Silibinin, a bioactive component of this plant, exhibits cardioprotective properties, particularly after cardiac myocyte damage caused by isoproterenol (43-45).

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is rich in phenolic substances (46). Moreover, coffee consumption has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and even suicide (47, 48).

In a study by Soroushzadeh, the borage plant (Borago officinalis), a medicinal plant rich in gamma-linolenic acid, was highlighted for its medicinal properties. Borage seed oil is the richest plant source of gamma-linolenic acid, which is commonly used in food supplements and prescription medications for the treatment of heart disease, eczema, cyclical mastalgia, diabetes, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Due to its therapeutic benefits, the cultivation of this valuable medicinal plant has garnered increased attention (49).

4. Conclusions

There is substantial evidence indicating that eating habits play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders (14). The consumption of legumes, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and fruits is associated with improved health outcomes (15, 22, 50).

Despite advances in the treatment of heart disease with synthetic drugs, the reduction in mortality remains below 30%, and cardiovascular risks continue to require attention.

The results of this study demonstrate that medicinal plants have beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular and infectious diseases.

Acknowledgements

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