The Role of Chinese Herbal Medicines and Bioactive Ingredients Targeting Myocardial KCa and KATP Channels in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disorders are the most common diseases all over the world, which have limitations in the current treatment stratergies. As two subtypes of potassium channel, KCa and KATP ion channels are playing important roles in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. KCa by activating the signal pathway of c-Src/PI3-kinase/Akt-dependent or eNOS-NO-cGMP effects the function of vascular endothelial cell, while KATP acting as a medium combines the cell electrical activity and energy metabolism. Thus, through acting on KCa or/and KATP, some drugs can play roles in these cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, specific and effective western medicines selectively working on these two channels are not identified at present. Some Chinese herbal medicines or bioactive ingredients in contrast have been discovered to be safe and effective in the regulation of the two recently. Therefore, this review article summarized some single herbs and bioactive ingredients targeting KCa or/and KATP ion channels in the management of cardiovascular diseases, with the purpose of demonstrating the alternative treatment of these diseases in perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine.