Natural vasodilators: mechanisms and therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases

Natural products with vasodilatory properties are increasingly recognized for treating hypertension, angina, and heart failure owing to their efficacy, accessibility, and favorable safety profiles, rendering them viable therapeutic alternatives. Following a systematic search of the NCBI PubMed and CNKI databases, 227 natural compounds with potent vasodilatory activity were identified. This review delineates the vasodilatory effects of major phytochemical classes—specifically flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and alkaloids—and evaluates preclinical evidence supporting their therapeutic application. Furthermore, potential vasodilatory mechanisms are elucidated, encompassing endothelium-dependent regulation of smooth muscle tone, fluid homeostasis, oxidative stress mitigation, and antagonism of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These mechanisms clarify the pharmacological basis of natural vasodilators, offering researchers and clinicians enhanced strategies for managing cardiovascular diseases.