Table 3.

Summary of the key mechanisms targeted by Z. lotus (L.) bioactive compounds.

Bioactive compound	Mechanisms of action	Impact on metabolism	Impact on vascular function
Rutin	- Inhibition of ACE - Activation of insulin signaling (IR kinase activity, GLUT4 translocation) - Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase - Reduces the expression of G-6-Pase - Decreases HMG-CoA - Inhibits NOD-like receptor pyrin domain inflammasome pathways - Reduces TNF-α and IFNγ - Suppresses proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, MCP-1, IFNγ, IL-6, IL-2, and NF-κB) - Suppressing the expression of NADPH oxidase 4.	- Reduces blood glucose levels - Improves insulin sensitivity - Reduces dyslipidemia (TC, TG, and LDL-C) - Improved LPL and LCAT - Reduces FBG, HbA1c	- Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation through NO-guanylyl cyclase pathway, ATP-sensitive K+ channel activation - Recovering NO generation - Improves vascular reactivity and baroreflex sensitivity
Hyperin	- Inhibition of α-glucosidase - Inhibits α-amylase - Upregulating the expression of PPARγ - Inhibits NF-κB	- Reduces blood glucose levels and plasma lipids (TC, TG, and LDL-C) - Improves insulin sensitivity - Suppresses inflammation	-Endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation through KCa channels and NO - Increased nitric oxide bioavailability - Suppression of chymase (Ang-II-forming enzyme) - Reduces peripheral vascular resistance and coronary vessel medial thickness
Isoquercitrin	- Inhibition of α-amylase - Modulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) - Regulation of insulin signaling genes (IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, and PKB) - Inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase activity - Attenuates NF-κB and TNF-α expression	- Improves blood glucose control - Enhances insulin secretion - Reduces dyslipidemia - Inhibits adipogenesis. - Suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction	- Endothelium-dependent vasodilation - Increase in nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in endothelial cells - Bioavailability enhancement of bradykinin and prostaglandin I2 - Reduction in vascular resistance - Protects endothelial cells by upregulating antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2) and downregulating proapoptotic proteins (p53, Bax, and caspase 3) - Exhibits potent diuretic effects by increasing Na+ excretion while maintaining K+ balance
Resveratrol	- Activation of SIRT1 and AMPK - Modulation of PPARγ and inflammatory pathways - Inhibition of α-glucosidase and lipid metabolism enzymes	- Improves FBG and HbA1c and insulin sensitivity - Reduces glucose and lipid levels - Decreases adipogenesis	- Endothelial NO generation via eNOS activation - Vasodilation through improved NO bioavailability - Suppression of Gi protein signaling in vascular smooth muscle