Search

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths among adult populationinChina, whose incidence and mortality rates continue rising with a trend towards youngerages. Although numerous drugs are used to prevent and treat CVDs, the long-termprognosisof patients with CVDs is still not very satisfactory. Therefore, there is an urgent needtoexplore new safe and effective drugs for CVDs in clinical practice. As a traditional medicinein China, Ginkgo biloba has a history of more than 2,000 years in clinical practice experience, meanwhile its therapeutic role in CVDs has been revealed in more and more clinical studies. As a living fossil of traditional Chinese medicine, Ginkgo biloba, a deciduous tree plant of theGinkgo family and genus, contains active medicinal ingredients in its leaves, kernels, outerskins and roots. Ginkgo biloba leaves are the main medicinal part, which are mild innature, sweet, bitter and astringent in taste. Ginkgo biloba activates the circulation of blood, relievespains, and lowers lipids, which is mainly used to treat chest obstruction and heartaches, stroke hemiplegia, and asthma, as well as hyperlipidemia, etc. This paper aims to reviewthemedicinal properties of Ginkgo biloba and its active ingredients in the treatment of CVDs, with emphasis on the antioxidant, apoptosis-inhibiting, anti-inflammatory mechanismandother mechanisms, so as to provide a scientific basis for their clinical application as well asfurther development and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrodia elata, a traditional Chinese medicine belonging to the Orchidaceae family, contains several major components such as gastrodin, polysaccharides of Gastrodia elata, and parish in. The pharmacological studies conducted on Gastrodia elata have revealed a variety of therapeutic properties, including antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, analgesic, and sedative-hypnotic properties. Thus, in this paper, we summarized the pharmacological effects of Gastrodia elata’s major components, namely gastrodin, polysaccharides of Gastrodia elata, parish in, and different types of Gastrodia elata extracts, on cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperglycemia, myocardial ischemia, myocardial hypoxia, myocarditis, and heart failure. Additionally, we conclude the mechanisms through which these active ingredients exert their therapeutic effects, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and nitric oxide regulation. We provide insights into the therapeutic potential of Gastrodia elata with a detailed review of its pharmacological effects and molecular targets in cardiovascular disease protection and therapy, and can better understand the effect of traditional medicines in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]