The Signaling Pathways Involved in the Antiatherosclerotic Effects Produced by Chinese Herbal Medicines

Figure 1

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and lipid dysbolism induce excessive cholesterol disposition and leukocytes accumulation into the vascular intima. Then macrophages and neutrophil secret cytokines and T cells release immune regulatory factors, which promote AS progression. Moreover, macrophages uptake cholesterols and transform into foam cells, facilitating the formation of lipid core. VSMCs migrate to the subendothelium and release extracellular matrix, leading to the formation of fibrous cap and vascular remolding. In addition, platelets are activated and aggregate to the injured vascular endothelium, contributing to the thrombosis.