Title:Phytoconstituents-mediated Targeting of Ferroptosis for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Parul Gupta, Anjali Sharma*, Sachin ., Shubham Sharma and Devkant Sharma
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamunanagar (135001), Haryana, India
Keywords:
Ferroptosis, CVD, phytoconstituents, redox balance, atherosclerosis, resveratrol, quercetin.
Abstract: Ferroptosis, an instance of iron-dependent programmable cell death that results from
oxidative stress & lipid peroxidation, has garnered interest due to its associations with cardiovascular
diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, as well as heart failure. Unlike
necrosis or apoptosis, ferroptosis involves unique metabolic pathways that disrupt cellular redox
balance and lipid homeostasis, leading to substantial cell damage in cardiovascular tissues. It is
becoming recognized that phytoconstituents—bioactive compounds derived from plants—can
modify ferroptosis pathways and provide cardioprotective advantages. Compounds including
curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, tanshinone IIA, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have
shown potential in preclinical studies by concentrating on significant ferroptotic processes. Finally,
by controlling iron homeostasis, boosting antioxidant responses (such as Nrf2 pathway
activation), and reducing lipid peroxidation, these phytochemicals may mitigate ferroptosisinduced
cardiac cell death. In animal studies, these natural compounds have shown promise in
reducing oxidative damage and improving heart function after injury. This article summarises
the mechanisms via which a variety of phytoconstituents influence ferroptosis and discusses
their potential as an adjuvant treatment for CVD. While these findings are encouraging, further
research is needed to use them in clinical settings, with a focus on long-term safety in human
populations, optimal dose, and absorption. The cardioprotective properties of phytoconstituents,
which focus on ferroptosis, may provide a unique, plant-based therapeutic strategy for the
treatment of CVDs.
