A Disquisition on Raphanus sativus Linn- A Propitious Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Although with the invention of hundreds of allopathic drug preparations and its various combinations, yet the belief on traditional medications for the curing of ailments has not come down. One such medication among the many others is Raphanus sativus. The entire plant part has medicinal benefits starting from the roots to the leaves. The extracts of roots are used for treatment of urinary complaints, haemorrhoids, syphilitic disease; reputed medicine for piles etc., the extract obtained from seeds has been used as expectorant, digestive, diuretic, laxative, stomach tonic, carminative, and antitussive. It has anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiurolithiatic, antifertility, hypertensive, nephroprotective, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective properties, in addition used for gynaecological conditions and jaundice. The chemical constituents present are alkaloids, nitrogen compounds, coumarins, enzymes, gibberellins, glucosinolates, oil seed compounds, organic acids, phenolic compounds, sulphur compounds, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, tannins, antraquinones, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, chalcones, brassinosteroids and polyphenols. The seeds and leaves of a plant contain „raphanin‟ which contains isothiocyanates and dithiolthiones to help lower the risk of cancer. The present study is thus on a review of Raphanus sativus which is a highly potential, functional and valuable ingredient that exhibits relatively impressive biological functions of great interest in pharmaceutical and food industries