Metabolic syndromes (MetS) and related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a serious threat to human health. MetS are metabolic disorders characterized by obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, which increase the risk of CVDs’ initiation and development. Although there are many availabile drugs for treating MetS and related CVDs, some side effects also occur. Considering the low-level side effects, many natural products have been tried to treat MetS and CVDs. A five-cyclic triterpenoid natural product, oleanolic acid (OA), has been reported to have many pharmacologic actions such as anti-hypertension, anti-hyperlipidemia, and liver protection. OA has specific advantages in the treatment of MetS and CVDs. OA achieves therapeutic effects through a variety of pathways, attracting great interest and playing a vital role in the treatment of MetS and CVDs. Consequently, in this article, we aim to review the pharmacological actions and potential mechanisms of OA in treating MetS and related CVDs.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by lipid accumulation and foam cell formation in the arterial wall. Promoting macrophage autophagy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy against atherosclerosis. Dipsacoside B (DB) is an oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin extracted from Lonicerae flos with potential anti-atherosclerotic properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of DB on atherosclerosis progression in ApoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet and explored the underlying mechanisms in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced foam cells. DB treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion size, improved plaque stability, and regulated lipid metabolism without impairing liver and kidney function in ApoE^−/− mice. In vitro studies revealed that DB dose-dependently inhibited ox-LDL internalization and intracellular lipid accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages. Mechanistically, DB induced autophagy, as evidenced by increased autophagosome formation and upregulated expression of autophagy markers LC3-II and p62 both in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine abolished the antiatherosclerotic and pro-autophagic effects of DB. Furthermore, DB treatment increased LC3-II and p62 mRNA levels, suggesting transcriptional regulation of autophagy. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that DB exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by inhibiting foam cell formation via autophagy induction, providing new insights into the pharmacological actions of DB and its potential as a therapeutic agent against atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease driving cardiovascular events, involves complex molecular networks where long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators. This review synthesizes current knowledge on lncRNA Growth Arrest-Specific 5 (GAS5) in atherosclerosis, covering its expression, multifaceted roles in vascular cells, and molecular mechanisms. GAS5 is significantly upregulated in atherosclerotic plaques, exerting complex, cell-specific effects on vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells. GAS5 modulates crucial pathophysiological processes like cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and foam cell formation, primarily by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and through direct protein interactions. While promising as a biomarker, circulating GAS5 levels require further validation. Therapeutic strategies targeting GAS5, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and small-molecule compounds, are under investigation. In conclusion, lncRNA GAS5 is a critical regulatory node in atherosclerosis pathobiology, offering significant opportunities for novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Further research is vital to elucidate its intricate roles and translate these findings into clinical applications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic cardiovascular disease, originates from endothelial dysfunction, a process closely linked to cellular energy metabolism. While rosmarinic acid (RA) exhibits protective cardiovascular effects, its precise mechanism against AS remains undefined. This study demonstrates that RA alleviates AS in ApoE^−/− mice, as evidenced by reduced aortic plaques, enhanced CD31 expression, and improved serum NO and ET-levels. Integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation, we identified Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) as a direct functional target of RA. Mechanistically, RA downregulated AKR1B1, thereby activating the SIRT3/PFKFB3 axis. In Ox-LDL-induced HUVECs, RA enhanced viability, reduced ROS, and boosted energy metabolism, indicated by elevated ECAR, OCR, and levels of G-6-P, F-6-P, and ATP. Crucially, RA rescued endothelial injury induced by AKR1B1 overexpression via this pathway. Our findings establish that RA protects against AS by directly targeting AKR1B1 to restore endothelial energy homeostasis through the AKR1B1/SIRT3/PFKFB3 signaling axis, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.

Objectives: Endothelial apoptosis is a central event in atherosclerotic vascular injury, yet the contribution of the INO80 chromatin-remodeling subunit INO80E to this process remains unclear. This study examined whether INO80E is altered during atherosclerosis (AS)-associated endothelial injury and explored its functional role in ox-LDL-triggered apoptosis. Methods: Atherosclerotic mouse models were used to examine INO80E expression in vascular tissues, and ox-LDL-treated HUVECs were applied as an in vitro model of endothelial injury. The functional role of INO80E was evaluated using lentiviral overexpression and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches, while apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Mechanistic experiments included co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, YY1 acetylation analysis, and pharmacological inhibition with the pan-HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). In addition, YY1-silencing rescue experiments were performed in INO80E-overexpressing cells to determine whether YY1 contributes to the protective effect of INO80E against ox-LDL-induced endothelial apoptosis. Results: INO80E expression was reduced in the endothelial layer of ApoE^−/− aortas and in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. INO80E overexpression attenuated ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and increased the Bcl-2/BAX ratio, whereas INO80E knockdown produced the opposite effect. INO80E colocalized with HDAC1, increased the HDAC1-YY1 association, decreased YY1 acetylation, and prolonged YY1 protein stability. TSA treatment weakened the anti-apoptotic phenotype associated with INO80E overexpression, and rescue experiments showed that YY1 knockdown partially reversed the INO80E overexpression-associated regulation of Bcl-2 and BAX. Conclusions: These findings suggest that INO80E protects endothelial cells from ox-LDL-induced apoptosis, at least in part by promoting HDAC-associated YY1 deacetylation and stabilization. The INO80E-HDAC1-YY1 pathway may represent a candidate protective mechanism in AS that requires further validation.