Editorial: Exploring Small Molecule Inhibitors in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Dr. Basveshwar Gawali ¹ Dr. Shweta Shrivastava ² Dr. Uday Kumar R ³ Dr. Satyendra Kumar Rajput ⁴ Dr Manish Kumar Jeengar ^3*

• ¹ Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
• ² School of Pharmacy, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
• ³ Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi, Kerala, India
• ⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The complex pathophysiology underlying these conditions necessitates innovative therapeutic approaches. Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) have emerged as promising candidates, offering precise modulation of key molecular pathways involved in these diseases.This Research Topic presents a collection of insightful articles that delve into the mechanistic roles and therapeutic potential of SMIs, emphasizing their impact on inflammation, vascular remodeling, and cellular signaling in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies.The mini-review by Fan et al. highlights the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitors, including their potential applications in vascular diseases. While clinically established for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and psoriatic arthritis, this article underscores the unexplored role of PDE4 inhibitors in mitigating vascular inflammation. The authors emphasize the necessity for further investigation into the therapeutic efficacy and safety of these inhibitors in cardiovascular settings, advocating for the development of next-generation PDE4 inhibitors with minimized adverse effects.Chen and Li's review provides a comprehensive analysis of the NLRP3 inflammasome's role in atherosclerosis. This inflammasome, a critical mediator of vascular inflammation, contributes to endothelial injury, foam cell formation, and pyroptosis. The authors discuss emerging pharmacological strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, including small molecule inhibitors, and propose their integration into therapeutic regimens for atherosclerosis.By elucidating the molecular mechanisms, this article sets the stage for designing effective NLRP3-targeted therapies.The original research by Pulukool et al. explores noninvasive cardiac-specific biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), in the diagnosis and prevention of vascular stenosis. This study not only identifies correlations between biomarker levels and stenosis severity but also highlights their utility in early risk stratification. By focusing on noninvasive diagnostics, the authors bridge the gap between molecular insights and clinical applications, emphasizing the potential of biomarkers in guiding personalized therapy.Balkrishna et al. examine the application of SMIs in intracranial aneurysms (IAs), a condition characterized by high mortality risk due to rupture. Their review highlights the therapeutic roles of statins, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, and cytokine modulators in stabilizing aneurysm walls and reducing rupture risk. The authors advocate for targeted delivery systems to enhance the efficacy of SMIs while preserving healthy brain tissue. This article underscores the translational potential of SMIs in managing IAs, paving the way for future clinical trials.The Table 1 below groups the articles included in this Research Topic according to their focus areas and total views as of January 7, 2025. This table serves as an overview of the diverse contributions, highlighting their main findings and relevance to the field of small molecule inhibitors.