Description
Fluvastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase that is clinically used to lower cholesterol and treat cardiovascular disease. Fluvastatin exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-fibrotic, cardioprotective, antiviral, antithrombotic, antioxidative, vasorelaxant, anti-atherosclerotic, and anticancer activities. Fluvastatin suppresses viral load of hepatitis C virus in a clinical setting and prevents viral replication. In vitro, fluvastatin decreases platelet activation by increasing PECAM-1 signaling and inhibiting activation of Akt. Additionally, fluvastatin scavenges hydroxyl radicals in vitro. In other cellular models, fluvastatin increases expression of NO and phospholipase 2 (PLA2) and decreases levels of angiotensin II (AT II) and ROCK. Additionally, this compound induces apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increases release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase 3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In animal models of cardiac distress, fluvastatin improves left ventricular function and prevent fibrosis by inhibiting RhoA and decreasing levels of CTFG and fibronectin.
