Background: Hypertension is a multifactorial and chronic cardiovascular condition whose complications are responsible for worldwide morbidity and mortality. An increasing body of experimental data, recognize low-grade inflammation as a basic process in hypertension onset and development since there is a strong contribution of both the innate and the adaptive immune system according to the so-called Danger-Model. In this contest, NLRP3 inflammasome represents a key signaling platform as demonstrated by its implication in several hypertension-associated conditions, such as vascular smooth muscle remodeling and proliferation. This intracellular receptor is activated by Pathogenassociated molecular pattern molecules/damage-associated molecular pattern molecules signals and its mechanism of action converges on the final production of caspase-1 and, consequently, of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Objective: The aim of the present work was to point out the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex in the hypertensive pathology and to describe it as a new potential therapeutic target. Method: A systematic review of the literature data related to NLRP3 and hypertension correlation has been performed. Results: Numerous and well-designed experiments demonstrate that the inflammasome plays a crucial role in essential and high-salt dependent hypertension, as well as in preeclampsia, in pulmonary hypertension, and in its related secondary disorders; its mechanism includes both a central nervous and a peripheral modulation of the inflammatory pathways. To date, research is trying to design inflammasome antagonists or equivalent inhibition strategies. Conclusion: The inflammasome represents a leading promoter of hypertensive inflammation opening new perspective in the field of the clinical approach in this pathology.

Metabolic syndrome and its associated disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are globally prevalent. Different molecules showing therapeutic potential are currently available for the management of metabolic syndrome, although their efficacy has often been compromised by their poor bioavailability and side effects. Studies have been carried out on medicinal plant extracts for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome. In this regard, isolated pure compounds have shown promising efficacy for the management of metabolic syndrome, both in preclinical and clinical settings. Apigenin, a natural bioactive flavonoid widely present in medicinal plants, functional foods, vegetables and fruits, exerts protective effects in models of neurological disorders and cardiovascular diseases and most of these effects are attributed to its antioxidant action. Various preclinical and clinical studies carried out so far show a protective effect of apigenin against metabolic syndrome. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on both in vitro and in vivo evidence related to the promising antioxidant role of apigenin in cardioprotection, neuroprotection and renoprotection, and to its beneficial action in metabolic-syndrome-dependent organ dysfunction. We also provide evidence on the potential of apigenin in the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic syndrome, analysing the potential and limitation of its therapeutic use.