Potential Benefits of Phytochemicals for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a leading cause of death in older adults due to aortic rupture. There are currently no effective medical therapies for AAA, with surgery being the only acceptable treatment. There is frequently an extended period between AAA diagnosis and treatment by corrective surgery, during which an effective drug therapy could prevent or delay the need for AAA repair.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to critically summarize prior research investigating the potential benefits of phytochemicals in preventing or treating AAA.

METHODS

In vitro, in vivo, and human studies examining the effect of phytochemicals in AAA models and patients were critically summarised.

RESULTS

Some preliminary data support the further investigation of curcumin, radix astragali, grape seed polyphenols, resveratrol, Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), Ginsenoide Rb1, Dan Hong, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, Baicalein, Fucoidan, Quercetin, and Salvianolic acid as potential treatments for AAA.

CONCLUSION

Experimental in vivo and in vitro studies suggest the potential benefits of a number of medicinal herbs and phytochemicals in preventing or reducing the progression of AAA. In order to assess whether these findings can be translated into proven treatments, adequately designed double-blind randomized clinical trials will be required.