RESEARCH ON: SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF HERBAL FORMULATION IN TREATEMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

*Joshi Mayur M., Kale Jyoti D., Akolkar Pravin B., Nikam Harshada D. and Joshi Vishakha M.

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicine has become a popular form of health care, globally. Herbal medicine is a preferred option nowadays even though few contrasts exist between herbal medicines and customary pharmacological medicines. Herbal formulations have been the most effective treatment for various disease conditions. Many studies have proved the efficiency of herb-herb combinations. In comparison with single drugs, drug combinations have shown a more promising effect in the treatment of disease. This drug combinations conception has been well established in many countries and extraordinary success has been reached. But not all the natural treatments are found to be inherently safe. A herbal formulation may carry risk. So, it is essential to know which herbal remedies do better than side effects and for which condition.[1] Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant health burden with an ever-increasing prevalence. They remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The use of medicinal herbs continues to be an alternative treatment approach for several diseases including CVDs. Currently, there is an unprecedented drive for the use of herbal preparations in modern medicinal systems.[2] Herbs have been used as medical treatments since the beginning of civilization and some derivatives (Eg, aspirin, reserpine, and digitalis) have become mainstays of human pharmacotherapy. For cardiovascular diseases, herbal treatments have been used in patients with congestive heart failure, systolic hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, cerebral insufficiency, venous insufficiency, and arrhythmia. However, many herbal remedies used today have not undergone careful scientific assessment, and some have the potential to cause serious toxic effects and major drug-to-drug interactions.[8]

Keywords: Herbal formulation, cardiovascular diseases, pharmacotherapy, safety & efficacy, etc.