Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating immune inflammation
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease driven by a combination of factors. Damage to the vascular endothelium, lipid accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration ultimately lead to atherosclerotic plaque and thrombosis, a process that is consistent with the understanding of AS in Chinese medicine. In TCM theory, atherosclerosis belongs to the category of "pulse paralysis", and the pathogenesis is mainly blamed on "phlegm", "stasis" and "deficiency The three main causes of the disease are "phlegm", "stasis" and "deficiency". If the body is deficient, it is unable to transport water and dampness, and over time water and dampness become phlegm (the accumulation of lipid and inflammatory cells infiltration is "phlegm" tangible real evil), both plaque formation; "phlegm" tangible real evil blocking the veins and collaterals, affecting blood flow, blood stasis, both thrombus formation, and poor blood flow. Eventually, paralysis of the arteries and veins results in "pulse paralysis". Compared with the existing invasive treatment and statin therapy, TCM has the characteristics of safe and efficient, multi-pathway and multi-target, which can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response and reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, using the anti-inflammatory effect of TCM is expected to make a key breakthrough in the treatment of AS. This article reviews the recent progress of TCM in treating AS by modulating inflammation, with the aim of finding new effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of AS.
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