Abstract
The roots, leaves, and seeds of Lepidium sativum L., popularly known as Garden cress in different regions, have high economic importance; although, the crop is particularly cultivated for the seeds. In traditional medicine, this plant has been reported to possess various biological activities. This review is aimed at providing updated and critical scientific information about the traditional, nutritional, phytochemical, and biological activities of L. sativum. In addition, the geographic distribution is also reviewed. The comprehensive literature search was carried out with the help of different search engines PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. This review highlighted the importance of L. sativum as an edible herb that possesses a wide range of therapeutic properties along with high nutritional values. Preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) displayed anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and fracture/bone healing activities of L. sativum and support the clinical importance of plant-derived bioactive compounds for the treatment of different diseases. Screening of literature revealed that L. sativum species and their bioactive compounds may be a significant source for new drug compounds and also could be used against malnutrition. Further clinical trials are needed to effectively assess the actual potential of the species and its bioactive compounds.
Highlights
A large number of people or community from developed and developing countries depend on medicinal plants for treatments, skin care, cultural progress, and economic growth [1, 2]
A seed paste prepared in water is used for skin problems and sunburns while the mucus of seeds is used against diarrhoea and irritation of the intestines in dysentery, and germinating seeds are used for constipation [11, 12]
Active compounds or secondary metabolites are produced in plants as a byproduct of various metabolic reactions; they do not play a primary role in plant reactions, they are important in many plant defence mechanisms and are known for their biological or therapeutic activities [24,25,26]
Summary
A large number of people or community from developed and developing countries depend on medicinal plants for treatments, skin care, cultural progress, and economic growth [1, 2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) projected that 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicines, and around 19.4 billion global revenue were recorded for herbal remedies in 2010 [3, 4]. L. sativum is used for the treatment of various diseases like asthma, tumors of the uterus, ulcers, hemorrhoidal haemorrhage, coughing, wounds, dermatomycosis, dysmenorrhea, sciatica, and nasal polyps. The seeds of this species have been utilized as a galactagogues and abortive agent and are used to treat sore throat, headache, cough, asthma, malaria, syphilis, and impotence [10]. The leaves of L. sativum are diuretic, mildly stimulant, and used in liver problems and scorbutic diseases [13]
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