HERBAL MEDICINES FOR CARDIOPROTECTION: CURRENT EVIDENCE AND FUTURE DIRECTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Medicinal plants have gained significant attention as potential cardioprotective agents due to their rich content of bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins. These natural compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, and anti-apoptotic activities that help protect the myocardium and vascular endothelium from damage. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cardiovascular diseases, their major risk factors, pathophysiology, and the concept of cardioprotection, while emphasizing the role of medicinal plants in maintaining cardiovascular health. Traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and Siddha have long utilized herbal remedies for the prevention and management of heart diseases, and many of these claims are now supported by modern pharmacological studies. Important cardioprotective plants discussed include Terminalia arjuna, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, Picrorhizakurroa, Daucus carota, Ginkgo biloba, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Centella asiatica, among others. Evidence from preclinical studies demonstrates their ability to reduce oxidative stress, improve lipid profiles, regulate blood pressure, preserve cardiac function, and minimize myocardial injury. Although several clinical studies have shown promising therapeutic benefits, further large-scale, well-designed clinical trials and standardized herbal formulations are required to confirm their long-term safety and efficacy. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based herbal drug delivery systems offer improved bioavailability and targeted therapeutic action, enhancing the clinical potential of plant-derived cardioprotective agents. Overall, medicinal plants represent a promising complementary approach for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases and warrant continued scientific investigation.