Chapter 61 - Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum) Seeds in Fracture-induced Healing

Abstract

This chapter outlines the applications of Lepidium sativum seeds to health promotion and disease prevention—in particular, the fracture healing phenomenon—and factors causing delay or non-union. The effects of the plants are through their different anatomical parts, such as the green leaves, sprouts, shoots, and particularly seeds. Its application in fracture healing was noted in rats fed with Lepidium sativum seeds, which showed an increase of collagen deposition and tensile strength at the fracture sites, and accelerated callus formation was noted radiologically in rabbits. The molecular activity of the fracture exudates was the most decisive factor for bone healing. It is worth noting that the emulsifying properties of the mucilage of Lepidium sativum seeds were possibly important factors having effects on one or more of these fracture exudate constituents. Lepidium sativum, and its seeds in particular, were publicly and commonly used in Saudi Arabia as a traditional alternative medicine practice, mostly for the treatment of recent traumatic fractures and, less commonly, in delayed or nonunited fractures. As their clinical application is so significant, it is vitally important that the seeds be approved pharmacologically and applied medically in the community.