Research Progress on the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) encompasses clinical conditions that affect the structure and function of coronary microcirculation. Patients with various cardiovascular risk factors often experience exacerbated disease progression associated with a poor prognosis. The complexity of its pathophysiological mechanisms hinders its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Modern medical therapies for CMD mainly focus on symptomatic treatment; however, studies have shown that many of these drugs have poor effects on small-diameter microvascular lesions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers several advantages owing to its natural products that feature multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway therapeutic properties. TCM comprises diverse bioactive compounds capable of modulating energy, suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines, and expressing adhesion molecules in leukocytes, platelets, and vascular endothelial cells. In addition, TCM exerts protective effects against thrombosis and mast cell degranulation. This article reviews the link between CMD and cardiovascular disease progression, along with TCM treatment strategies, offering novel insights into CMD prevention and treatment with TCM.