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Neurovascular glial unit: A target of phytotherapy for cognitive impairments
Chen L, Zhen Y, Wang X, Wang J, Zhu G.. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2023-08-02
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Although herbal medicines, with their favorable safety profiles and low adverse effects, have been suggested to be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, the potential role of the NVGU as the target of the effects of herbal medicines is still unclear. Purpose This review aimed to retrieve evidence from experimental studies of phytopharmaceuticals targeting the NVGU for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and VD, and discussed the potential of phytopharmaceuticals to improve cognitive impairment from the perspective of the NVGU. Study design and methods We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI. The keywords used for searching information on the NVGU in the treatment of cognitive impairments included "Alzheimer's disease," "Vascular dementia," "Herbal medicines," "Natural products," "Neurovascular," "Adverse reaction," and "Toxicity, etc." We selected studies on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria. Results NVGU mainly consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons, and damage to these cells can induce cognitive impairment by impairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as neuronal function. The active components of herbal medicines, including Ginkgo biloba L., Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Epimedium Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Carthami flos, and Acorus tatarinowii Schott, as well as traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions have shown the potential to improve BBB function and increase CBF to prevent cognitive impairment by inhibiting astrocyte and microglia activation, protecting oligodendrocyte myelin function, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis. Conclusions Herbal medicines demonstrate great potential to prevent cognitive impairment. Multiple components from herbal medicines may function through different signaling pathways to target the NVGU. Future studies using novel drug-carrier or delivery systems targeting the NVGU will certainly facilitate the development of phytopharmaceuticals for AD and VD.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Chen, L., Zhen, Y., Wang, X., Wang, J., & Zhu, G. (2023). Neurovascular glial unit: A target of phytotherapy for cognitive impairments. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009
Vancouver
Chen L, Zhen Y, Wang X, Wang J, Zhu G. Neurovascular glial unit: A target of phytotherapy for cognitive impairments. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2023. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009. PMID: 37573807.
BibTeX
@article{chen2023-37573807,
author = {Chen, L. and Zhen, Y. and Wang, X. and Wang, J. and Zhu, G.},
title = {{Neurovascular glial unit: A target of phytotherapy for cognitive impairments}},
journal = {Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009},
pmid = {37573807},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results NVGU mainly consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons, and damage to these cells can induce cognitive impairment by impairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as neuronal function.
Why it matters
This review gathered experimental studies on herbal medicines, such as Ginkgo biloba and ginseng, that act on the neurovascular glial unit, the team of blood vessel, support and nerve cells that keeps the brain healthy. Active components showed potential to improve blood-brain barrier function and blood flow and to calm inflammatory glial cells. The authors see great potential for preventing cognitive impairment, but the evidence comes from experimental studies rather than proven benefits in patients.
Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 50/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Phytomedicine: journal h-index 179 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2023 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 16 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.2 citations a year over 5 year(s) since 2023 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 16 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Guoqi Zhu: h-index 37 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: institution h-index 140 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 37573807) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 50 / 100 | — |
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