16 - Role of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds in obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Herbal medications are commonly used for clinical purposes, including the treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, and obesity are among the major causes of death globally. The treatment of CVDs, hypertension, and obesity using modern medicines is very expensive. On the other hand, various medicinal plant species are reported to be effective for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there is an extraordinary drive toward the use of herbal drugs and their preparations in modern medicinal systems. This drive is powered by several aspects, key among these being their cost-effective therapeutic promise compared to standard modern therapies, and the general belief that they are safe. However, the claimed safety of herbal preparations yet remains to be properly tested. Consequently, public awareness should be raised regarding medicinal herbs’ safety, toxicity, potentially life-threatening adverse effects, and possible herb-drug interactions. In this chapter, we summarize the available evidence on medicinal plants and herbal medications mostly used in cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and obesity.