China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 573-586.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.02.006

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress of Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Alleviating Vascular Endothelial Cells Injury Induced by Heat Stress

KONG Lingjiao1(), WAN Baoyun2, ZHAO Shanshan1, GU Zhaobing1()   

  1. 1.Faculty of Animal Science and Technology,Yunnan Agricultural University,Kunming 650201,China
    2.Yimen County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Yunnan Province,Yuxi 651100,China
  • Received:2025-05-19 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-01-28
  • Contact: GU Zhaobing E-mail:kolingjiao0317@icloud.com;zhaobinggu@163.com

Abstract:

Heat stress (HS) triggers complex pathological responses in animals, posing a serious threat to health and even leading to death, thereby causing substantial economic losses. As a key target during HS, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) sustain injury through both direct and indirect injuries. Direct injury includes disruption of cell membranes and cytoskeletal structures, DNA damage, and induction of apoptosis-related gene expression, resulting in structural and functional abnormalities of VECs and excessive apoptosis. Indirect injury is mediated by systemic inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and dysregulation of vascular tone. Damaged VECs also release multiple cytokines, further exacerbating the adverse effects of HS on the organism.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), by virtue of its abundant sources, diverse constituents, target specificity, and favorable safety profile, has become a research hotspot for anti-HS veterinary therapeutics. Active ingredients of TCM, such as terpenoids (paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, etc.), phenolics (ferulic acid, resveratrol, etc.), and flavonoids (quercetin, puerarin, etc.), as well as compound preparations and extracts (Shenfu injection, Ginkgo biloba extract, etc.) exhibit notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities and enhance cellular thermotolerance, primarily through coordinated actions on multiple signaling pathways. For antioxidation, these agents activate the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to upregulate antioxidant enzymes and thereby alleviate oxidative stress. For anti-inflammatory effects, they inhibit the PI3K/Akt, TLR2/NF-κB and TLR4/NF-κB pathways, reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. With respect to anti-apoptosis, they increase the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, suppress activation of the caspase family, and protect mitochondrial function. To improve thermotolerance, they promote the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), thereby mitigating heat-induced damage.In this review, the authors summarize the major mechanisms by which HS induces VEC injury and systematically collate current research on TCM monomers and extracts that protect VECs against HS-induced damage, with the aim of providing a theoretical reference for further investigation of active ingredients of TCM and their application in livestock and poultry production.

Key words: traditional Chinese medicine monomer components; traditional Chinese medicine extracts; vascular endothelial cells; heat stress

CLC Number: