Role of Danggui Buxue Decoction for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases have become the major disease endangering people's physical and mental health because of its high morbidity and mortality. Danggui Buxue Decoction, a noteworthy classical prescription, is composed of astragali radix and angelicae sinensis radix at a ratio of 5꞉1. It is a prescription for tonifying both vital energy and blood and has the effect of dredging collaterals. Its main active components, such as polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids and volatile oils, have good effects on antioxidation, inflammation regulation, immune regulation and promotion of blood circulation. Danggui Buxue Decoction can improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and heart failure, relieve the symptoms of diabetic cardiomyopathy, inhibit pulmonary fibrosis, protect lung injury and fight against lung cancer and other cardiopulmonary diseases. Preclinical studies have showed that this prescription can inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress, regulate autophagy and enhance immune function through multi-target pathways. Reviewing the main effective components, pharmacological action and mechanism, and clinical application of Danggui Buxue Decoction are helpful to provide comprehensive information for the clinical application of Danggui Buxue Decoction in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.