Traditional Chinese Medicine for Inhibiting Ferroptosis in Ischemic-Related Diseases

Ischemic-related diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, are primarily driven by a deficit in oxygen supply leading to cellular damage and death. Ferroptosis has emerged as an important mechanism contributing to the progression of ischemic injury, characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the significant mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in ischemic conditions and explores the potential effects of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and their extracts. Numerous compounds extracted from TCMs, including flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenes, exhibit potent antiferroptotic effects by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, upregulating glutathione peroxidase 4, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and so on. These properties render TCMs a promising candidate for developing novel ferroptosis therapeutic strategies. This review underscores the importance of investigating the interactions between ferroptosis and TCMs within the context of ischemic diseases. These findings provide valuable insights for future research to identify targets associated with ferroptosis regulation, thereby expanding the pharmacological perspective of TCMs in treating ischemic diseases and revealing the potential of novel therapeutic strategies. Additionally, this highlights the relevance of integrating traditional and modern medical approaches in addressing complex health issues.