🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In recent decades, as medical research on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases deepens, the relationship between endothelial function and these diseases has attracted significant attention. Endothelial dysfunction is the initiating factor of atherosclerosis and the target organ for risk factors in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, protecting endothelial function has become a crucial goal in treating these conditions. Recently, the China Integrative Medicine Association and Yiling Pharmaceutical Group jointly hosted the Academic Symposium on New Progress in Endothelial Dysfunction, bringing together over 600 experts and scholars from Beijing’s medical community to discuss the link between endothelial function and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases.
Professor Xu Chengbin from Peking University People’s Hospital pointed out that endothelial cell injury can result from physical, chemical, and biological factors, leading to increased permeability, loss of anticoagulant activity, and decreased nitric oxide (NO). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking can all cause endothelial dysfunction. Professor Zeng Dingyi from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University reported experimental findings showing that Tongxinluo Capsule inhibits neointimal proliferation and vascular remodeling after rabbit vascular angioplasty, reduces plasma ET levels, increases NO levels, and promotes release of PAI-1, thereby correcting endothelial dysfunction.
Professor Yang Yuejin from Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, emphasized that maintaining integrity of myocardial microvessels and preventing reperfusion injury has become critical in current reperfusion therapy. To date, no specific drug has been found. Their experiments revealed that Tongxinluo Capsule significantly increases serum NO levels during late-phase reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), reduces plasma ET levels, decreases circulating endothelial cell count (CEC), and reduces infarct size. Notably, it outperforms other medications in increasing serum NO and reducing CEC, suggesting that Tongxinluo protects endothelial cells and alleviates reperfusion injury. Thus, Tongxinluo may serve as a protective agent for microvessels and myocardium in AMI reperfusion therapy.
Professor Hu Changlin from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University reported that carotid atherosclerosis is one of the major risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. Preliminary observations indicate a 63% incidence rate among cerebrovascular patients. The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis is increasing in China. Studies confirm that after three months of Tongxinluo treatment, patients show significant increases in peak systolic, diastolic, and mean blood flow velocities in the carotid artery, as well as cerebral blood flow, while resistance index decreases. Intima-media thickness significantly reduces (statistically significant compared to pre-treatment), markedly improving clinical symptoms in patients with cerebral ischemia. Carotid plaque size also decreases to some extent. Among 30 patients, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and gait instability improved without recurrence during treatment.