Preface

Herbal Medicine: Back to the Future presents expert reviews on the applications of herbal medicines (including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicines, and alternative therapies) for health benefits. This series of volumes was initiated under the co- Editorship and guidance of late Prof. Ferid Murad who passed away recently. His monumental contributions to science, particularly the role of nitric oxide in health snd well being, will always be remembered. He is greatly missed.

This volume demonstrates the use of sophisticated methods to explore traditional medicine while providing readers with a glimpse into the future of herbal medicine. The book should prove to be a valuable resource for pharmaceutical scientists and postgraduate students seeking updated and critically important information regarding natural product chemistry and the pharmacology of natural materials in the treatment of infectious diseases. The chapters are written by eminent experts in the field.

Leitão et al., in Chapter 1, highlights the possible application of compounds isolated from Siparuna species as antiviral agents. In Chapter 2, Vadia et al., emphasise the use of Indian spices and explore their key antimicrobial components for their antibacterial activity and modes of action. Chaughule and Barve in the next chapter discuss the role of herbal medicines in the treatment of infectious diseases. Singh et al., in Chapter 4, focus on the traditional approach to treating infections. In the last chapter of the book, Nawaz et al. explore the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants for rheumatoid arthritis. Some important plants that show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against rheumatoid arthritis are discussed in this chapter.

We hope that the readers involved in the study of infectious diseases will again find these reviews valuable and thought-provoking so that they may promote further research on herbal medicines and alternative therapies.

We are grateful for the timely efforts made by the editorial personnel, especially Mr. Mahmood Alam (Editorial Director), and Ms. Asma Ahmed (Senior Manager Publications), at Bentham Science Publishers for the publication of this book.