Effects of plant extracts and derivatives on cardiac K⁺, Nav, and Ca_v channels: a review

Natural products (NPs) are endless sources of compounds for fighting against several pathologies. Many dysfunctions, including cardiovascular disorders, such as cardiac arrhythmias have their modes of action regulation of the concentration of electrolytes inside and outside the cell targeting ion channels. Here, we highlight plant extracts and secondary metabolites’ effects on the treatment of related cardiac pathologies on hERG, Nav, and Cav of cardiomyocytes. The natural product’s pharmacology of expressed receptors like alpha-adrenergic receptors causes an influx of Ca²⁺ ions through receptor-operated Ca²⁺ ion channels. We also examine the NPs associated with cardiac contractions such as myocardial contractility by reducing the L-type calcium current and decreasing the intracellular calcium transient, inhibiting the K⁺ induced contractions, decreasing amplitude of myocyte shortening and showed negative ionotropic and chronotropic effects due to decreasing cytosolic Ca²⁺. We examine whether the NPs block potassium channels, particular the hERG channel and regulatory effects on Nav1.7.