Ferulic Acid and Cardiovascular Health: Therapeutic and Preventive Potential

Bioactive compounds found in food and medicinal plants contribute to maintaining health and treating illnesses. For example, hydroxycinnamic acids, such as ferulic acid, are widely present in nature and have several pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and beneficial effects in parameters of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The results of studies in animal models and in vitro experiments of ferulic acid suggest its high therapeutic and preventive potential against several pathological disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, in this review, the bioactivities of ferulic acid on the cardiovascular system are described, including the discussion of the mechanisms of action in the various components of the system. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological properties of this versatile natural product in aspects of cardiovascular health, including cardioprotective and antihypertensive actions, and on the metabolism of lipids, diabetes, and thrombosis.