How Herbs Help Treat High Cholesterol: A Molecular Study

Jenn Hoskins
17th August, 2024

How Herbs Help Treat High Cholesterol: A Molecular Study

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Linyi University analyzed 103 prescriptions with 146 herbs used to treat hyperlipidemia
  • They identified a core prescription of five herbs that target 512 hyperlipidemia-related proteins
  • Seven key proteins were found to be critical in treating hyperlipidemia, potentially also impacting cancer therapy
Hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by abnormal levels of lipids in the blood, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Traditional herbal medicine has been employed to treat hyperlipidemia effectively, but the molecular mechanisms behind these treatments have remained largely elusive. A recent study by researchers at Linyi University aimed to uncover these mechanisms by analyzing 103 prescriptions containing 146 herbs used to treat hyperlipidemia[1]. The study employed cluster analysis to identify a core prescription of five herbs: Crataegus pinnatifida (Shan Zha), Cassiae semen (Jue Ming Zi), Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. (Ze Xie), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen), and Radix Polygoni Multiflori (He Shou Wu). These herbs were found to target 512 hyperlipidemia-related protein targets, with 40 targets shared among the core herbs and hyperlipidemia. Seven proteins—IL6, AKT1, IL1B, PTGS2, VEGFA, PPARG, and NOS3—were identified as the most critical in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Interestingly, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that these targets were mainly enriched in the lipid and atherosclerosis pathways and the cancer pathway. This suggests that the treatment of hyperlipidemia by these herbs might also have implications for cancer therapy. Molecular docking results further demonstrated that AKT1, PTGS2, and PPARG exhibited significant binding affinity with bioactive chemicals such as 3-beta-hydroxymethyllenetanshiquinone, danshexinkum d, and physciondiglucoside. The findings from this study align with earlier research on the role of Salvia miltiorrhiza in treating hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease. A previous study utilized untargeted lipidomics, network pharmacology, and atomic force microscopy to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhiza. It was found that salvianolic acid A, a key component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, could bind with SMS2, a protein implicated in hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease[2]. This supports the current study's identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza as a core herb with significant therapeutic potential. Moreover, the current study's findings are consistent with the broader epidemiological context of hyperlipidemia in Chinese adults. A cross-sectional study highlighted that the prevalence of dyslipidemia (a condition closely related to hyperlipidemia) was high among Chinese adults, with low rates of awareness, treatment, and control[3]. This underscores the importance of finding effective treatments and understanding their mechanisms, as explored in the Linyi University study. Another relevant study identified 22 potential biomarkers in the urine of hyperlipidemia patients, involving various metabolic pathways such as amino acid, fatty acid, and nucleotide metabolism. These biomarkers were linked to inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, providing insights into the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia[4]. This aligns with the current study's focus on molecular targets and pathways, offering a more comprehensive understanding of how herbal treatments may modulate these processes. In summary, the study by Linyi University provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms by which traditional herbs treat hyperlipidemia. By identifying key protein targets and pathways, the research offers a theoretical basis for future combined therapies for hyperlipidemia and cancer. This study not only builds on previous research but also opens new avenues for understanding and treating hyperlipidemia more effectively.

HerbsMedicineBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Herbs in the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Published 16th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0098

Related Studies

2) Pharmacodynamic substances in Salvia miltiorrhiza for prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease based on lipidomics technology and network pharmacology analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111846

3) The prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of dyslipidemia among adults in China.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.02.006

4) Study on urine metabolic profiling and pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2019.05.001


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