Z-Ligustilide: A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Atherosclerosis Complicating Cerebrovascular Disease

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the major catalysts of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and the death and disease burden from AS and its cerebrovascular complications are increasing. Z-ligustilide (Z-LIG) is a key active ingredient in Angelica sinensis ( Oliv. ) Diels and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort . In this paper, we first introduced LIG's physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics. Then, we reviewed Z-LIG's intervention and therapeutic mechanisms on AS and its cerebrovascular complications. The mechanisms of Z-LIG intervention in AS include improving lipid metabolism, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, protecting vascular endothelium, and inhibiting vascular endothelial fibrosis, pathological thickening, and plaque calcification. In ischemic cerebrovascular diseases complicated by AS, Z-LIG exerts practical neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and vascular dementia (VaD) through anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-neuronal apoptosis, protection of the blood-brain barrier, promotion of mitochondrial division and angiogenesis, improvement of cholinergic activity, inhibition of astrocyte proliferation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This paper aims to provide a basis for subsequent studies of Z-LIG in the prevention and treatment of AS and its cerebrovascular complications and, thus, to promote the development

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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