According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. They may be caused by various factors or combinations of factors. Frequently, endothelial dysfunction is involved in either development of the disorder or results from it. On the other hand, the endothelium may be disordered for other reasons, e.g., due to infection, such as COVID-19. The understanding of the role and significance of the endothelium in the body has changed significantly over time—from a simple physical barrier to a complex system encompassing local and systemic regulation of numerous processes in the body. Endothelium disorders may arise from impairment of one or more signaling pathways affecting dilator or constrictor activity, including nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate activation, prostacyclin–cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation, phosphodiesterase inhibition, and potassium channel activation or intracellular calcium level inhibition. In this review, plants are summarized as sources of biologically active substances affecting the endothelium. This paper compares individual substances and mechanisms that are known to affect the endothelium, and which subsequently may cause the development of cardiovascular disorders.

Based on the World Health Organization statistics, cardiovascular diseases represent the major cause of death worldwide. Although a wide range of treatment approaches and pharmaceuticals is available, the therapy is often not effective enough and therefore health risks for the patient persist. Thus, it is still essential to test new drug candidates for the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions related to cardiovascular system. In vivo models represent indispensable part of preclinical testing of such substances. Anesthetized guinea pig as a whole-body model allows to evaluate complex reactions of cardiovascular system to tested substance. Moreover, action potential of guinea pig cardiomyocyte is quite comparable to that of human. Hence, the results from this model are then quite well translatable to clinical medicine. Aim of this paper was to summarize the methodology of this model, including its advantages and/or limitations and risks, based on the effects of two substances with adrenergic activity on the ECG parameters. The model of anesthetized guinea pig proved to be valuable and suitable for testing of drugs with cardiovascular effects.

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