Iron Homeostasis Imbalance Promotes Atherosclerosis and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251807
- VernacularTitle:铁稳态失衡促进动脉粥样硬化形成及中医药治疗机制探析
- Author:
Maohong WANG
1
;
Jianhua XIONG
1
;
Hao ZHANG
1
;
Xiaohong YAN
1
;
Qiang WAN
2
Author Information
1. Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine， Nanchang 330004， China
2. The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine， Nanchang 330006， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
iron homeostasis;
atherosclerosis;
traditional Chinese medicine;
oxidative stress;
inflammation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(19):279-286
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Iron is an indispensable trace element for the human body to maintain normal physiological functions， widely participating in key processes such as oxygen transport， energy metabolism， and cell signal transduction. The homeostasis of iron is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and functional stability of the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have shown that iron homeostasis imbalance， especially iron overload， has become a major risk factor for the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis （AS）. The downstream-induced ferroptosis can form a "iron overload-lipid peroxidation-inflammation" vicious triangle through multiple pathways such as promoting oxidative stress， lipid peroxidation， and inflammatory response， and the three mutually reinforce each other to accelerate plaque formation and progression. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has demonstrated unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of AS， with definite clinical efficacy. Its mechanism of action， in addition to improving lipid metabolism and protecting vascular endothelium， is closely related to the regulation of iron homeostasis in the body. From the new perspectives of systemic iron homeostasis imbalance and the "iron overload-lipid peroxidation-inflammation" vicious triangle， this article reviews the research progress in the association between iron homeostasis imbalance and AS in recent years， and integrate the mechanism of iron homeostasis imbalance in modern medicine with the TCM theory of stasis and toxin interconnection. It focuses on exploring the potential molecular mechanisms of TCM in regulating iron homeostasis through intervention in key pathways of iron overload and inhibition of ferroptosis， summarizes the "iron reduction-antioxidation-anti-inflammation" network constructed by TCM compound prescriptions， and the characteristics of TCM active components in synergistically resisting systemic iron homeostasis imbalance through sharing key targets such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and nuclear factor （NF）-κB. This article provides ideas and a theoretical basis that combine the characteristics of TCM theory with modern scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of AS.
