Preface

Recent advances in drug discovery and development are based on post-genomic understanding of human diseases at the cellular as well as molecular levels. Cardiovascular disorders are among the most important group of diseases which have gone through major transformation, both in approach and techniques. The chapters contain in this volume are the updated version of articles published in Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. This volume comprises well-written reviews contributed by experts in the field of cardiovascular drug discovery and development. Each review summarizes cutting edge researches on a specific approach in CVD treatment. Many of these reviews are focused on the development of various classes of chemical compounds for cardiovascular disease management by interfering in the molecular mechanisms, which lead to atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Most reviews in this volume are written in a way to first introduce the topic and then gradually summarize the important developments in the field in a chronological manner. Thus each review should be of interest not only to professional scientists but also to research students. The references in each review are up-to-date, and represent state-of-the-art developments.

We are grateful to all contributors for their willingness to write short reviews on important aspects of cardiovascular drug discovery and development, as well as, submitting their articles in a timely manner. We are also grateful to the staff of Bentham Science Publishers, especially Mr. Mahmood Alam (Managing Director), Ms. Samina Khan (Senior Manager), Ms. Taqdees Malik (Assistant Manager) and Ms. Sadaf Idrees Khan (Composer), for their untiring efforts to make this assignment a success.

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary
Editors