Aromatic Plants as a Source of Natural Antioxidants and Their Potential to Reduce Disease Risk

Abstract

In recent years, aromatic plants and their bioactive compounds have gained momentum globally due to their wide applications in the herbal drug industry, preservatives, the food industry, spices, fragrances, cosmetics, pesticides and repellents. Aromatic plants are a rich source of natural antioxidants due to polyphenols. The phenolic compounds are responsible for antioxidant activity, having the potential to reduce disease risk. Antioxidants are a defense against free radicals present in the body. Currently the demand for these plants and their derivative compounds have increased because of their effective role in antimicrobial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory activities. The aromatic plants are high-value commercial crops. Hence, the plants and their compounds have the potential to become new therapeutic drug molecules for human health. The natural phytochemicals present in these plants can be used as a potential lead molecule for the development of semisynthetic and synthetic derivatives. This chapter discusses the aromatic plants, classification of aromatic plants, natural antioxidant molecules and role of antioxidants in averting disease risk. Further, it emphasizes the mechanism of action of antioxidants in disease risk.