Pharmacological Progresses of Puerarin in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which is related to dyslipidemia, endothelial injury, inflammation, thrombosis, dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages, etc. Puerarin, a natural monomer from Chinese herb Pueraria lobata, presents multiple cardiovascular protective activities. The paper firstly reviewed the risk factors and drug of atherosclerosis. And then, extraction and synthesis of puerarin were summarized. Especially, it focused on the latest advances in anti-atherosclerosis activities of puerarin from six aspects including lipid-regulating, hyperglycemic, antiinflammatory, inhibiting thrombosis, promoting microcirculation, improving functions of vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Some novel puerarin derivatives also exhibited favorable anti-atherosclerosis activity. The review would provide new molecular skeletons and lead compounds for anti-atherosclerosis new drug development based on puerarin.