A study conducted at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has provided new insights into the potential health benefits of Mediterranean plants in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The research, published in *Food Bioscience*, involved collaborations with the University of Barcelona, as well as institutions in Cuba and Chile. The study, which originated as a final-year project by biologist Mateu Anguera Tejedor, explores the pharmacological effects of plant-derived compounds commonly found in the Mediterranean diet.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality, and plant extracts rich in bioactive compounds have shown promise in treating several of these conditions. However, the use of these plants in medicine is often limited due to concerns about side effects, drug interactions, and the lack of solid scientific evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
Anguera Tejedor’s project, supervised by René Delgado, a lecturer at the University of Barcelona and former postdoctoral researcher at UAB’s Institut de Neurociències (INc-UAB), offers a comprehensive review of the active compounds in Mediterranean plants and their potential cardiovascular benefits. The study highlights the mechanisms of action of these compounds, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects, which are particularly relevant for conditions like atherosclerosis and hypertension.
The review focuses on six key Mediterranean plants: garlic (Allium sativum), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), saffron (Crocus sativus), olive (Olea europaea), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), and grapevine (Vitis vinifera). These plants contain bioactive components such as diallyl trisulfide, quercetin, crocin, oleic acid, rosmarinic acid, and resveratrol, which have shown promise in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes by improving lipid metabolism and supporting cardiovascular health.
In addition to summarizing existing scientific evidence, the study offers guidance for future research in this field. It identifies gaps in knowledge and provides recommendations for designing preclinical and clinical studies to further explore the safety, efficacy, and potential synergistic effects of these compounds, particularly when consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet. One key area for further research is the long-term safety of these compounds and the need for standardized protocols in clinical settings.
The researchers also caution that the combined consumption of these plant extracts may influence their individual effectiveness due to the “matrix effect,” where dietary components can alter the efficacy of each extract. This interaction could either enhance or diminish the therapeutic benefits of the plants. The team emphasizes the importance of further studies on the pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and clinical effects of these extracts, noting that the label “natural” does not necessarily guarantee safety or efficacy.
Led by Francesc Jiménez Altayó, a lecturer in pharmacology at UAB and researcher at the Centre for Biomedical Research in Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV), the study also involved contributions from experts in pharmacology from Cuba and Chile. The research aims to expand the scientific basis for using these traditional plants as active ingredients in the development of future phytomedicines.
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