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Background & Objective: : Nitrogen mustard derivatives form one of the major classes of anti-cancer agents in USFDA approved drugs list. These are polyfunctional alkylating agents which are distinguished by a unique mechanism of adduct formation with DNA involving cross-linking between guanine N-7 of one strand of DNA with the other. The generated cross-linking is irreversible and leads to cell apoptosis. Hence it is of great interest to explore this class of anticancer alkylating agents. Methods:: An exhaustive list of reviews, research articles, patents, books, patient information leaflets, and orange book is presented and the contents related to nitrogen mustard anti-cancer agents have been reviewed. Attempts are made to present synthesis schemes in a simplified manner. The mechanism of action of the drugs and their side effects are also systematically elaborated. Results:: This review provides a platform for understanding all aspects of such drugs right from synthesis to their mechanism of action and side effects, and lists USFDA approved ANDA players among alkylating anticancer agents in the current market. Conclusion: : Perusing this article, generic scientists will be able to access literature information in this domain easily to gain insight into the nitrogen mustard alkylating agents for further ANDA development. It will help the scientific and research community to continue their pursuit for the design of newer and novel heterocyclic alkylating agents of this class in the coming future.

About 70% of the world population is currently using medicinal herbs as complementary or alternative medicine, which is increasing at a tremendous pace in both developed and developing countries in the last two decades (World Health Organization Medicines Strategy 2002–2005). This increase in consumer demand of medicinal herbs continues despite the rarity of scientific data to establish their safety and efficacy profile. Its popularity is also attributed to several factors, including easy availability, cost effectiveness leading to better purchasing power and general perception that they are safe. Herbs are often administered concomitantly with therapeutic drugs for the treatment of major ailments, raising the potential for herb–drug interactions (HDIs). The major pathways postulated for HDIs involves the cytochrome P450 (CYP450)‐mediated inhibition or induction and transport and efflux proteins. In our review, we highlight frequently used herbal medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders (CVD), their established HDIs studied using in vitro tools and in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assays and case reports. Herbs have been divided into different sections on the basis of availability of HDI data in relevance to cardiovascular drugs: herbs reported to interact with cardiac drugs, herbs yet to be reported for interaction with drugs of any class and herbs reported to interact with drugs of other therapeutic category but not with cardiac drugs. The amount of active phytoconstituents present in the selected herbs and their extent of bioavailability are also mentioned. This review can serve as a quick reference database for physicians and health care professionals involved in CVD treatment, aimed at maximizing clinical outcomes with reduction in adverse and toxic effects.

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