Hepato- and cardioprotective effects of Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. against multiple risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide and have several risk factors, including dyslipidemia, smoking, and hypertension. Studies have evaluated isolated risk factors in experimental models of cardiovascular disease, but few preclinical studies have assessed associations between multiple risk factors. In the present study, hypertensive Wistar rats (Goldblatt 2K1C model) received a 0.5% cholesterol diet and were exposed to tobacco smoke for 8 weeks. During the last 4 weeks, the animals were treated with vehicle, an ethanol-soluble fraction of B. trimera (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), or simvastatin + enalapril. A group of normotensive, non-dyslipidemic, and non-smoking rats was treated with vehicle. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and hepatic and fecal lipids, blood pressure, and mesenteric arterial bed reactivity were evaluated. Cardiac, hepatic, and renal histopathology and tecidual redox state were also investigated. Untreated animals exhibited significant changes in blood pressure, lipid profile, and biomarkers of heart, liver, and kidney damage. Treatment with B. trimera reversed these changes, with effects that were similar to simvastatin + enalapril. These findings suggest that B. trimera may be promising for the treatment of cardiovascular and hepatic disorders, especially disorders that are associated with multiple risk factors.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Antithrombogenic Plants: A Narrative Review.

Heart attack, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis are among the conditions that alter blood coagulation and are modulated by antithrombogenic drugs. Natural products are an important source of antithrombogenic agents and have been considered remarkable alternatives with greater efficacy and usually with fewer side effects. However, the efficacy and toxicity of many of these plants that are used in traditional medicine must be scientifically tested. Despite a large number of published articles that report that plants or plant-derived components may act as antithrombogenic agents, few studies have investigated the mechanism of action of medicinal plants. This review presents the current knowledge about the major cellular and molecular mechanisms of antithrombogenic plants and their main components. Many well-established mechanisms (e.g., platelet aggregation, coagulation factors, and thrombolysis) are related to the antithrombogenic activity of many natural products. However, the central pathways that are responsible for their activity remain unclear. Further studies are needed to clarify the central role of each of these pathways in the pleiotropic response to these agents.