Phytochemicals in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease
摘要
Cardiovascular diseases, or CVDs, are a generic term for the numerous diseases that affect the coronary blood arteries and the heart. Phytochemicals of natural origin encompass a wide variety of vitamins, steroidal saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and organ sulfur compounds. A great number of bioactive chemicals obtained from terrestrial plants have been established to improve cardiovascular health and prevent cardiovascular disease. These include carotenoids, diosgenin, resveratrol, quercetin, isoflavones, catechin, sulforaphane, and tocotrienols. Cardiovascular disease is the global killer. Flavonoids are present in citrus fruits, onions, and cocoa and help in improving endothelial function, reducing blood pressure, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Among all the studied phytochemical molecules, one well-studied molecule has been related to numerous health benefits, including cancer prevention and cardiovascular diseases. Other crucial substances that have been proven to be beneficial to many diseases are Brassica oleracea, curcumin, and berberine. Increasing data suggest that phytochemicals and plant-based whole meals are an effective and alternative therapy for lowering hyperlipidemia and CVD. Many foods and medicinal plants contain phytochemical antioxidants, which assist in the treatment and prevention of chronic oxidative stress disorders. Their intensive anti-inflammatory antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties result in protection against cardiovascular disorders. Herbal nanotechnology offers vast benefits over conventional herbal preparations and extracts of CVDs. In that case, improved solubility, bioavailability, protection against toxicity, enhanced pharmacological activity, lesser amounts of medication required, and enhanced stability are involved. This chapter puts forward phytochemicals as safe, natural, and cost-effective CVD preventive agents.