Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Shows Promise in Preventing Heart Artery Spasms

Researchers from Toho University have identified a promising natural compound, schisandrin A, derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Schisandra chinensis. This compound has demonstrated a potential role in preventing coronary artery spasms — sudden constrictions of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Such spasms, often triggered by chemical messengers like acetylcholine, histamine, and serotonin, can significantly reduce blood flow, leading to angina or even heart attacks, particularly in individuals without evident artery obstructions.

In laboratory experiments using pig coronary arteries, which closely mimic human arteries in structure and function, schisandrin A effectively relaxed arterial contractions induced by spasm-triggering agents. The mechanism involves blocking L-type calcium channels—critical in controlling muscle contraction—thus maintaining arterial relaxation by preventing excess calcium entry into smooth muscle cells. Additionally, schisandrin A exhibited mild anticholinergic properties, further inhibiting nerve signals that cause artery constriction.

This compound is a key ingredient in Shengmai San, a traditional Chinese herbal remedy used for over 700 years to support heart health. While Shengmai San has primarily been used for symptom relief, this study offers new insights into how schisandrin A might directly influence arterial behavior, potentially reducing the risk of spasms.

Although the concentrations used in the study were higher than typical bloodstream levels after oral intake, injectable formulations of Shengmai San could achieve similar therapeutic levels. This opens avenues for future research into using schisandrin A as a preventive agent against coronary artery spasms, especially in at-risk patients.

Lead researcher Dr. Keisuke Obara stated, "Our findings suggest that schisandrin A, a natural compound from traditional herbal medicine, could offer a novel approach to preventing coronary spasms. This development could contribute to lowering the global burden of ischemic heart disease." This research highlights promising prospects for integrating traditional herbal compounds into modern cardiovascular therapy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-natural-compound-traditional-chinese-medicine.html