Role of Phytomedicines and Neutraceuticals in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

The past decade has witnessed intense interest in nutraceuticals in which phytochemical constituents have long-term health promoting or medicinal qualities. Secondary products have a variety of functions in plants; it is likely that their ecological function have some potential medicinal effects for humans. Between 1990 and 2020, deaths from non-communicable diseases and injury are expected to rise from 33 million to 58 million, with a similar proportional increase in mortality. It’s been estimated that by 2020, chronic diseases will account for almost three-fourths of all deaths. World Health Organization encourages the addition of secondary metabolites of plants in life saving drugs. Disorders like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardio vascular diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney disease and other diseases of unknown etiology are increasing due to poor diet pattern, stress, loss of physical activity, toxic substance in foods etc. Nutraceuticals and phytomedicines in the plant help in preventing these metabolic diseases without any side effects. Identification of these phytomedicines and Nutraceuticals and regular incorporation into the diet helps to increase the longevity of life and prevent synthetic drug induced physiological damage. INTRODUCTION: The greatest public health challenge of 21 st century is chronic non communicable diseases 1, 2 . Approximately 36 million deaths were attributable to NCDs in the year 2008 were due to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases 3 . Between 1990 and 2020, deaths from non-communicable diseases and injury are expected to rise from 33 million to 58 million annually, with a similar proportional increase in