Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 214-223 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 214 Research Article Open Access Multi-Target Pathways of Angelica sinensis in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Protection Linhua Zhang1, Guangman Xu2 1 Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: guangman.xu@cuixi.org Medicinal Plant Research, 2025, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/mpr.2025.15.0023 Received: 05 Aug., 2025 Accepted: 25 Sep., 2025 Published: 19 Oct., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Zhang and Xu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhang L.H., and Xu G.M., 2025, Multi-target pathways of Angelica sinensis in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, Medicinal Plant Research, 15(5): 214-223 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2025.15.0023) Abstract Angelica sinensis is a commonly used ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Its main function is to promote blood circulation and replenish blood. It is also widely used in regulating the functions of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. This study focuses on its multi-target mechanism of action in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, especially the active components, liek polysaccharides, ligustilide and ferulic acid. Research has found that, A. sinensis can exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and neural repair effects through pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, Nrf2/HO-1, etc., alleviate the damage caused by myocardial and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and also enhance vascular endothelial function and the stability of the blood-brain barrier. Animal and cell experiments also suggest that, it can regulate blood lipids, improve the microenvironment and delay aging. Although there is currently a lack of large-scale clinical validation, the existing research foundation provides reliable support for its development into a standardized plant-based drug. Keywords Angelica sinensis; Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection; Multi-target mechanism; Antioxidant; Anti-inflammatory; Signal path 1 Introduction Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, an important medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for treatments, such as "promoting blood circulation" and "replenishing blood" for hundreds of years. Especially for women's health and cardiovascular aspects, its medicinal value is very high (Chen et al., 2013; 2024). In folk and traditional medicine, it is believed that, it can improve insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain, relieve dizziness and fatigue, regulate the condition of blood vessels, and is particularly friendly to some elderly people. Many of these traditional usages are based on experience, but modern pharmacological research has confirmed them. Modern pharmacological research has found that, A. sinensis contains a wide variety of active ingredients, like volatile oil, organic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarin, etc. These substances do not merely "regulate qi and blood". Their scope of action is quite wide - ranging from regulating lipid and lowering blood sugar to inhibiting thrombosis, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation (Han et al., 2021; Shen et al., 2024). Besides, recent studies have further pointed out that, it also performs well in regulating blood rheology and alleviating ischemic injury, and can affect multiple signaling pathways related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection (Niu et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2024). Atherosclerosis is the main "cause" of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Its development is related to lipid accumulation, damage to vascular endothelium, and chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are two "triggers". Once they break out, they may lead to endothelial dysfunction, followed by problems like hypertension and thrombosis. The Z-ligustilide in A. sinensis has been proven to improve these links. For instance, it can regulate lipid metabolism, protect endothelial cells, and delay or even inhibit plaque formation (Li et al., 2024; Shen et al., 2024).
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