Cardiovascular disease is a compound name for clusters of disorders afflicting the heart and blood vessels; it is assuming an increasing role as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Unhealthy practices such as smoking, high intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, diabetes and physical inactivity are predisposing factors. The risk factors cause alteration in vascular integrity, compromised membrane integrity, increase free radical generation and reduced endogenous antioxidant system resulting in oxidative stress. Substance with ability to maintain vascular integrity, prevent, or reduce radical formation are able to treat cardiovascular disease. Conventional drugs in use to this effect are with side effect and as alternative, medicinal plants are increasingly gaining acceptance from the public and medical professionals. Reports have shown that bioactive compounds in plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ability to protect vascular endothelium, prevent lipid oxidation, and augment endogenous antioxidant system are cardioprotective. Phenolics and flavonoids in medicinal plants have been widely reported to play these major roles. This study reviewed the role of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants using a wide range database search.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; bioactive compounds; medicinal plants; predisposing factors.