Preface

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) belong to the most severe health problems and are considered the main cause of morbidity and mortality in modern society. CVDs consist of a broad spectrum of diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Risk factors for CVDs include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and a sedentary lifestyle. Therapeutic effects against CVD have been demonstrated by several medicinal plants and nutraceuticals thus presenting new possibilities for the treatment of CVD risk. Evidence suggests that this approach is very promising. So, the aim of this book is to present an update on the most recent evidence related to the use of nutraceuticals in the context of the prevention and treatment of CVD.

Chapter 1 discusses CVD and nutraceuticals and the underlying mechanism and therapeutic biomarkers. The chapter presents the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals on the heart and also gives an insight into the bioinformatics approach to identify novel therapeutic biomarkers in order to update the practitioner's awareness of the use of nutraceuticals for CVD management. Chapter 2 provides detail about congestive heart failure and insight into pharmacotherapy. This chapter explains possible pharmaceutical approaches to treat congestive heart failure. Chapter 3 provides a review of diet, inflammation, and CVDs. The chapter reveals the role of diet in the prevention of vascular inflammation and the usefulness of antioxidants in preventing CVD. Chapter 4 represents the applications, advantages and disadvantages of various rodent and non-rodent animal models in the research on CVD especially while evaluating nutraceuticals’ effects against CVD. On the other hand, chapter 5 discusses the CRISPR-cas9 technologies in the 21st century and their applications in cardiovascular diseases.

Chapter 6 discloses the role of Indian Ayurvedic approaches to the cardiovascular system, etiopathogenesis, and therapeutic strategies. The chapter highlights the precipitants that attenuate Vyana Vayu and addresses curative measures to restore Vyana Vayu. Chapter 7 depicts nutraceuticals as potential agents to rescue the human race from CVD. The chapter point outs the current scenario of CVD, pathophysiology, therapeutic drugs available, the role of nutraceuticals in treating CVD, and their mode of action with a special emphasis on commonly used kitchen spices. Chapter 8 explains the therapeutic potential and mode of action of Biochanin-A, a natural compound predominantly found in soy, chickpea, peanuts, alfalfa sprouts, and red clover against hypertension in experimental rats. Chapter 9 concentrates on the ameliorative potential of Zingiberene, a monocyclic sesquiterpene that is the principal constituent of ginger (Zingiber officinale) against obesity and cardiomyopathy. Finally, chapter 10 presents the amelioration of myocardial infarction through the attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase production by Betaine, a well-known nutraceutical widely occurring in plants, animals and rich dietary sources.