Figure 1.

Schematic representation of beneficial effects exerted in the cardiovascular system by resveratrol, Brassica oleracea, curcumin, and berberine. The AMPK/SIRT-1/PPARα/γ molecular pathway, underlying most of the effects of all vegetable compounds, is illustrated. AMPK: 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase; SIRT-1: silent mating type information regulation-1; PPAR: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; ROS: reactive oxygen species; NF-κB: nuclear factor-κB; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; EC: endothelial cell; VSMC: vascular smooth muscle cell; BBB: blood brain barrier.