The Mediterranean diet has long been recognized as one of the most effective ways to prevent and improve cardiovascular disease. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the typical sources of fat in the Mediterranean diet which have been shown to have noteworthy nutritional value and positive impact on human health. It is worth noting that EVOO owes its superior nutritional value to its bioactive composition. The main component of EVOO is monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in the form of oleic acid. Oleic acid accounts for up to 70%-80% of EVOO. Secondly, EVOO contains approximately more than 30 phenolic compounds, of which HT is essential for the protection against CVDs. In this review, we focused on the potential mechanisms of oleic acid and polyphenols combat cardiovascular diseases risk in terms of oxidative stress, inflammation, blood pressure, endothelial function and cholesterol. This review might provide a reference for the studies on cardiovascular protective effects of EVOO.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the world. However, due to the limited effectiveness and potential adverse effects of current treatments, the long-term prognosis of CVD patients is still discouraging. In recent years, several studies have found that berberine (BBR) has broad application prospects in the prevention and treatment of CVD. Due to its effectiveness and safety for gastroenteritis and diarrhea caused by bacterial infections, BBR has been widely used in China and other Asian countries since the middle of the last century. The development of pharmacology also provides evidence for the multi-targets of BBR in treating CVD. Researches on CVD, such as arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, heart failure, etc., revealed the cardiovascular protective mechanisms of BBR. This review systematically summarizes the pharmacological research progress of BBR in the treatment of CVD in recent years, confirming that BBR is a promising therapeutic option for CVD.

Side effects, including nausea, vomiting, mucositis, peripheral neuropathy, and diarrhea, have been frequently reported in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) display distinct clinical outcomes, as a result, they have been increasingly used as an adjuvant therapy to manage chemotherapy-induced side effects. In this review, we aim to intensively explore the molecular mechanisms of CHMs, underline the significance of CHMs in mitigating the side effects induced by chemotherapy, and examine the necessary studies required to understand the role of CHMs in alleviating chemotherapy-induced side effects. Specifically, ginger, Astragali Radix, and Liujunzi Decoction have been verified to ameliorate nausea and vomiting. Banxia Xiexin Decoction and Huangqin Decoction have been confirmed to be beneficial to mucositis and delayed-onset of diarrhea. Moreover, Niuche Shenqi Wan, Guilong Tongluo Decoction, Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction, and tumeric have been found to display potential therapeutic effects for preventing the genesis and development of peripheral neurotoxicity. These findings have further emphasized the pivotal role of CHMs in improving the outcomes of chemotherapy-induced side effects in CRC. Nonetheless, more molecular evidence is required to comprehensively understand and more appropriately apply CHMs in routine clinical practice for CRC.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation after myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to effectively limit the infarct area in numerous clinical and preclinical studies. However, the primary mechanism associated with this activity in MSC transplantation therapy remains unclear. Blood supply is fundamental for the survival of myocardial tissue, and the formation of an efficient vascular network is a prerequisite for blood flow. The paracrine function of MSCs, which is throughout the neovascularization process, including MSC mobilization, migration, homing, adhesion and retention, regulates angiogenesis and vasculogenesis through existing endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Additionally, MSCs have the ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages and can be mobilized and migrate to ischemic tissue to differentiate into ECs, pericytes and smooth muscle cells in some degree, which are necessary components of blood vessels. These characteristics of MSCs support the view that these cells improve ischemic myocardium through angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. In this review, the results of recent clinical and preclinical studies are discussed to illustrate the processes and mechanisms of neovascularization in ischemic heart disease.

Vascular aging (VA) is recognized as a pivotal factor in the development and progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Although various epidemiological and clinical research has demonstrated an intimate connection between aging and AS, the candidate mechanisms still require thorough examination. This review adopts an aging-centric perspective to deepen the comprehension of the intricate relationship between biological aging, vascular cell senescence, and AS. Various aging-related physiological factors influence the physical system's reactions, including oxygen radicals, inflammation, lipids, angiotensin II, mechanical forces, glucose levels, and insulin resistance. These factors cause endothelial dysfunction, barrier damage, sclerosis, and inflammation for VA and promote AS via distinct or shared pathways. Furthermore, the increase of senescent cells inside the vascular tissues, caused by genetic damage, dysregulation, secretome changes, and epigenetic modifications, might be the primary cause of VA.