~ 56 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; SP6: 56-60 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; SP6: 56-60 Juvatkar PV Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Bhagyalakshmi Nair Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Mayuri Patil Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Kale MK Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Akshaya G Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Priyanka K Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India Correspondence Juvatkar PV Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Karjat, Maharashtra, India (Special Issue- 6) Innovation development and standardization of Novel Herbal Formulation (September 24-25, 2018) Matrix metalloproteinase’s in atheroma formation in arteriosclerotic vascular disease Juvatkar PV, Bhagyalakshmi Nair, Mayuri Patil, Kale MK, Akshaya G and Priyanka K DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2018.v7.isp6.1.13 Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase’s (MMPs) which are also called as matrixins belongs to a group of zinc- dependent proteins (endopeptidases), which play a vital part in the depletion of extracellular matrix. This group of enzymes consists of expanded spectrum of proteases type of enzyme (like collagenases, stromelysins, and gelatinases) which plays an influential and conspicuous role in tissue reformation and remodeling mechanism which is associated with different cascades of processes like morphogenesis, angiogenesis, arthritis, cancer etc. Atherosclerosis is a pathological condition were the innermost layers of the arteries becomes thick due to the accumulation of WBC’s (like macrophages, foam cells) and also due to the rapid multiplication of cells present in the intimate layers of artery that creates a plaque. Studying the role and importance of MMP’S in plaque formation has now become an important field of interest. Excessive tissue alteration process and increased activities of matrix metalloproteinase enzyme have been authenticated in plaque interruption. These enzymes represent a fundamental target for the therapeutic innovations in vascular pathology. Keywords: Matrix metalloproteinase enzyme, Atheroma formation, Atherosclerosis, MMP as targets for therapy, herbal and marine drugs Introduction Matrix metalloproteinase’s (MMPs) are calcium-dependent zinc-containing endopeptidases belonging to a broader family of enzyme proteases. These enzymes are having the capability to destroy all sort of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. They are known to be participating in the splitting of receptors, ligands present in the cellular surfaces and also participate in various cascade systems of our body. These enzymes are also having crucial role in various cellular mechanisms such as proliferation, migration like adhesion or dispersion like phenomenon, differentiation of cells, angiogenesis, apoptosis, defense mechanisms. Structure and classification of matrix metalloproteinase’s