The study summarizes the current state of research on gallic acid (GA), a natural substance found in green tea, fruits and nuts. GA has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects and has great potential for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
GA influences several disease-relevant mechanisms simultaneously:
- Lowers blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipids,
- Inhibits inflammation,
- Stabilizes blood vessels and reduces plaque formation,
- Protects against strokes and heart attacks.
GA also shows positive effects in diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Studies on cell cultures and animal models confirm a variety of molecular mechanisms of action, for example via AMPK, PI3K/Akt and NO signaling pathways.
Conclusion: Gallic acid is a promising natural substance with extensive health effects on the cardiovascular system. However, clinical application still requires further studies on bioavailability and long-term safety.
Background
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease and the main cause of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Conventional drugs such as statins or antihypertensives usually only intervene in individual processes and have side effects. This is why natural multi-target compounds such as gallic acid (GA) are becoming increasingly important.
Mechanisms of action of gallic acid in atherosclerosis
GA acts on several levels against atherosclerotic changes:
1. Hypolipidemic (lowers blood lipids):
- Inhibits fatty acid synthesis by activating the AMPK-ACC signaling pathway
- Promotes fat breakdown (lipolysis), fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis
- Reduces triglycerides by inhibiting PPARα expression and promoting PPARγ
- Induces apoptosis of fat cells and reduces inflammation in adipose tissue
2. Antiatherosclerotic:
- Protects endothelial cells from oxidative stress and apoptosis
- Inhibits platelet aggregation by reducing P-selectin and thrombin activity
- Suppresses proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through inhibition of PI3K-Akt-ERK and activation of AMPK-eNOS
- Stabilizes plaques and reduces vasoconstriction
3. Vascular elasticity and arterial stiffness:
- Inhibition of vascular calcification via the BMP2-Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway
- Reduction of matrix remodeling enzymes (MMPs) and fibrosis mediators (TGF-β)
Effects on risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension
GA reduces blood sugar through:
- Promotion of insulin secretion from pancreatic cells
- Improvement of insulin sensitivity via PI3K/Akt/GLUT4
- Inhibition of glucose absorption in the intestine (SGLT1, GLUT2)
GA lowers blood pressure through:
- Promotion of NO release via eNOS
- Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system
- Reduction of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes
Conclusion and outlook
Gallic acid is a natural, broadly effective active ingredientwhich positively influences central mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Your antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering and vasoprotective effects make them a promising candidate for the complementary therapy of cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion: Gallic acid combines high biological efficacy with broad therapeutic potential – a promising approach for the integrative prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.