Recent Molecular Mechanisms and Beneficial Effects of Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Whole Foods in Reducing LDL-C and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Abnormal lipid metabolism leads to the development of hyperlipidemia, a common cause of multiple chronic disorders, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) currently remains the primary target for treatment of hyperlipidemia. Despite the advancement of treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia, medications used to manage hyperlipidemia are limited to allopathic drugs, which present certain limitations and adverse effects. Increasing evidence indicates that utilization of phytochemicals and plant-based whole foods is an alternative and promising strategy to prevent hyperlipidemia and CVD. The current review focuses on phytochemicals and their pharmacological mode of actions for the regulation of LDL-C and prevention of CVD. The important molecular mechanisms illustrated in detail in this review include elevation of reverse cholesterol transport, inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption, acceleration of cholesterol excretion in the liver, and reduction of cholesterol synthesis. Moreover, the beneficial effects of plant-based whole foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, dried nuts, flax seeds, whole grains, peas, beans, vegan diets, and dietary fibers in LDL-C reduction and cardiovascular health are summarized. This review concludes that phytochemicals and plant-based whole foods can reduce LDL-C levels and lower the risk for CVD.

Indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus-indica Fruit Ameliorates Glucose Dysmetabolism and Counteracts Insulin Resistance in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

“…Accordingly, no differences were found in the total liver lipid levels between untreated HFD and indicaxanthin-treated HFD mice, ruling out any potential impact of the yellow phytochemical on lipid dysmetabolism. The present evidence on indicaxanthin somehow differs from that in which plant-based whole food and phytochemicals such as polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins exert significant, positive effects on lipid dysmetabolism in vitro or in vivo [ 32 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Notably, our results suggest a specific effect of indicaxanthin on glucose metabolism.…”

The Reciprocal Relationship between LDL Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…LDL are particles that vary in size, density, chemical composition, and atherogenicity [11]. Apolipoprotein (apo)-B100-containing lipoprotein biogenesis begins with intrahepatic cholesterol, either from intestinal absorption or from de novo synthesis incorporated into very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles [12]. In the bloodstream, VLDL is converted by lipoprotein lipase (LPL), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) [13], and hepatic lipase [14] into cholesterol-enriched lipoproteins, such as LDL [13].…”

Effect of Hulled Barley Grains (Hordeum vulgare) Powder on the Gene Level Expression of PPAR-g and SIRT1 in Rats Subjected to Experimental Hyperlipidemia

“…Kaempferol is a flavonol found in a wide range of culinary plants as well as traditional medicines. The presence of these flavonoids in HBGP could explain the putative lipid-lowering effect observed in this study (11) .…”

“…Natural phenolic acids are secondary metabolites of plants having probable optimistic physiological effects. They exhibit several roles like lowering blood pressure, reducing body weight, and preventing the formation of singlet oxygen as well as dyslipidemia (11) . Ferulic acid is abundant in various cereals that have beneficial effects on preventing cardiovascular diseases, possibly due to its antihypertensive and antioxidant activity.…”