Cardiovascular protective properties of gastrodin

Cardiovascular diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, incurring a major public health burden. Gastrodia elata Blume is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been widely used to treat central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. Gastrodin, as the major active component in Gastrodia elata Blume, can confer protection against cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the anti-inflammatory actions, anti-cardiac hypertrophy, anti-hypertension, anti-atherosclerosis, and angiogenic effects of gastrodin, as well as its protective effects on vascular cells and against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The medical potential of gastrodin in diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases is also discussed.