New Advances in the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Gut Microbiota in Regulating Glycolipid Metabolism to Combat Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the major pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, characterized by chronic inflammation and disturbed glucose and lipid metabolism. Despite the widespread use of statins, the global clinical burden continues to rise, and effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. As the "second genome," gut microbiota participates in the progression of atherosclerosis by regulating host glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and metabolite production. Natural plant components exert multiple effects, including regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, modulating gut microbiota, and anti-inflammatory activity, showing unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the anti-atherosclerotic effects of gut microbiota via regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as the role of natural plant components in intervening disease progression by remodeling intestinal microecology and reducing pro-atherogenic metabolites. It provides a theoretical basis for novel therapeutic strategies targeting gut microbiota and the clinical application of plant components.