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Review
. 2025 May 29:16:1529478.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1529478. eCollection 2025.

Plant-derived secondary metabolites and nanotechnology: innovative strategies and emerging challenges in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury therapy

Wei Shi #  1   2 , Yang Xu  1   2 , Jian Wei  1   2 , Xiaoyu Zhang  1   2 , Shuaijie Zhu  1   2 , Heng Guo  1   2 , Qihui Huang  1   2 , Chuyao Qi  1   2   3   4 , Tianfeng Hua  1   2 , Yue Liu  3   4 , Min Yang  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Plant-derived secondary metabolites and nanotechnology: innovative strategies and emerging challenges in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury therapy

Wei Shi et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Therapy for acute myocardial infarction often causes myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), which is characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Traditional therapies have shown poor effectiveness because of their low absorption and inappropriate targeting. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising treatment option for MIRI. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, and hybrid nanoparticles, make therapies more effective by making drugs more stable, improving targeting accuracy and lowering side effects. Plant-derived secondary metabolites and nanoparticles, specifically those containing Panax notoginseng saponins and flavonoids, have been shown to work together as a therapeutic approach. These nanoparticles have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that significantly reduce myocardial injury after reperfusion. Targeting specificity and safety limit clinical translation, even with significant technological developments in these areas. Herein, we review current studies on nanocarriers and plant-derived secondary metabolite nanoparticles for MIRI treatment, as well as potential future clinical applications and limitations.

Keywords: myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury; nanocarriers; nanoparticles; plant-derived secondary metabolites; targeting strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Application of nanocarriers in MIRI.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Therapeutic advantages of nanoparticle-encapsulated plant-derived secondary metabolites in MIRI.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Protective mechanisms of nanoparticle-delivered plant-derived secondary metabolites in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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