Abstract

UTILIZING NATURE: THE ROLE OF HERBAL REMEDIES AND PHYTOCONSTITUENTS IN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

P. S. Dharmasale*, V. S. Marulkar, A. N. Chavan, V. Y. Lokhande, R. R. Shinde and A. S. Jadhav

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally, with a predicted increase in frequency due to shifts in dietary preferences, lifestyles, and environmental pollution. Herbal remedies and plant-derived compounds have long been utilized in treating CVD, with a focus on phytoconstituents, flavonoids, and their derivatives that are now integral to modern medicine. The burden of existing CVD cases has grown substantially over the years, reaching 19.8 million deaths in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment strategies. Despite significant advancements in CVD treatment, various challenges persist, including issues related to prevention, early detection, healthcare access, patient adherence, comorbid conditions, cost, and personalized medicine. Natural compounds are increasingly being explored for CVD treatment due to their potential health benefits and lower risk of adverse effects compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. These compounds exhibit antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, cholesterol management, vasodilation, and cardioprotective nutrients, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic development. Lead discovery from natural sources involves isolating bioactive compounds from diverse natural materials with therapeutic potential, constituting a crucial aspect of drug discovery endeavors in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.[2] Phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and tannins, play a vital role in promoting cardiovascular health and are grouped based on their structures and functions. Antioxidants, by combatting oxidative stress and its detrimental effects on cardiovascular health, offer significant protective benefits against CVD development and progression. Through scavenging free radicals, protecting lipids, reducing inflammation, shielding against LDL oxidation, and preventing thrombosis, antioxidants play a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular well-being. Recent advancements in identifying and understanding cardioprotective antioxidant phytoconstituents are poised to revolutionize drug discovery for CVD. These developments stand to enhance the efficacy, specificity, and safety profile of novel therapeutic agents, paving the way for improved treatment outcomes and a reduced burden of cardiovascular diseases globally.

Keywords: Antioxidants, Cardiovascular disorders, phytoconstituents, Heart failure, Flavonoids.