Agrimonia - biological activity and perspectives for medicinal application. Part I

The menopause-related alteration in a woman's body may include a variety of disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, changes in immune response or haemostatic parameters, and oxidative stress. Some plant-derived substances have been used for many years as an alternative for oestrogen therapy in the treatment of various menopausal symptoms. Among these compounds, the best known are isoflavones. However, also other biologically active compounds, that are present in herbs, should be taken into account as potential therapeutic agents. The growing number of reports has confirmed favourable effects of plants belonging to the Agrimonia genus. Three species of them occur in Poland: Agrimonia eupatoria L., Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., and Agrimonia procera Wallr. In the present review, the available data and recent findings on the potential use of different plants from Agrimonia genus in prevention and therapy of various disturbances of the inflammatory system and cardiovascular disorders are described. One of the most important aspects of the medicinal application of Agrimonia plants is their possible role in the protection of the cardiovascular system against changes associated with menopause.