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The main function of blood platelets is their haemostatic role, but recent evidence shows that processes ofplatelet activation may be sometimes a critical link between haemostasis and development of inflammation.The discovery of expression of CD40 and its ligand – CD40L on platelet surface revealed the participation ofthese cells in immune responses and inflammation. In many pathological processes related to cardiovasculardisorders, e.g. changes connected with menopause, enhanced platelet activation is observed in atherosclerosis,diabetes and cancer, in which proinflammatory and prothrombotic CD40/CD40L pathway is involved. Signalsthat drive inflammatory events and are transmitted through CD40/CD40L pathway cause the inflammatory cellinteractions leading to induction of innate immune response. This signal transduction is associated with therelease of adhesion molecules, chemokines, cytokines, tissue factors, reactive oxygen species, growth factorsand other proinflammatory mediators from activated cells. Hyperactivity of platelets associated with signaltransduction by CD40/CD40L pathway is observed in many pathogenic processes, including thrombosis, diabetes,inflammation and cancers. The inhibition of CD40/CD40L pathway may provide alternative treatment forvarious diseases in the future.

The main function of blood platelets is their haemostatic role, but recent evidence shows that processes of platelet activation may be sometimes a critical link between haemostasis and development of inflammation. In many pathological processes related to cardiovascular disorders, e.g. changes connected with menopause, enhanced platelet activation is observed in atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer, in which proinflammatory and prothrombotic CD40/CD40L pathway is involved. Platelets are responding to a large number of physiologically important compounds because they possess a number of specific membrane receptors. The biological activity substances secreted from activated platelets are important factors of inflammatory reactions and increase platelet interaction with immunological cells. The inhibition of CD40/CD40L pathway, involved in blood platelet activation in many pathological processes, may provide an alternative treatment for various diseases in the future.

The menopause-related alteration in a woman’s body may include a variety of disorders, such as obesity,metabolic syndrome, changes in immune response or haemostatic parameters, and oxidative stress. Some plantderivedsubstances have been used for many years as an alternative for oestrogen therapy in the treatment ofvarious menopausal symptoms. Among these compounds, the best known are isoflavones. However, also otherbiologically active compounds, that are present in herbs, should be taken into account as potential therapeuticagents. The growing number of reports has confirmed favourable effects of plants belonging to the Agrimoniagenus. Three species of them occur in Poland: Agrimonia eupatoria L., Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., and Agrimoniaprocera Wallr. In the present review, the available data and recent findings on the potential use of differentplants from Agrimonia genus in prevention and therapy of various disturbances of the inflammatory systemand cardiovascular disorders are described. One of the most important aspects of the medicinal application ofAgrimonia plants is their possible role in the protection of the cardiovascular system against changes associatedwith menopause.