Research progress on regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis in vascular aging mechanism and intervention by traditional Chinese medicine

The pathogenesis of vascular aging is complex, and its pathological mechanisms mainly include mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, epigenetic changes, telomere dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation. However, the pathological mechanism of vascular aging has not yet been fully elucidated. Mitochondria are key organelles regulating metabolism in eukaryotic cells. The imbalance of mitochondrial homeostasis leads to abnormal vascular function. Therefore, regulating mitochondrial homeostasis is considered an important target for the prevention and treatment of vascular aging in the future. Many studies have elucidated that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formulas, single herbs, and active components can specifically regulate mitochondrial homeostasis in vascular cells by affecting apoptosis or autophagy, thereby delaying vascular aging. This paper reviewed the role of mitochondrial homeostasis regulation in the pathogenesis of vascular aging from several aspects, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial oxidative stress. It also summarized research progress on TCM and its extracts that protect mitochondrial function, maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, and delay vascular aging. These findings provide new ideas and methods for preventing and treating vascular aging with TCM from the perspective of mitochondrial homeostasis.