Phytochemical insights and pharmacological advances of Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress): bridging traditional medicine and evidence-based therapeutics.

BACKGROUND

Lepidium sativum L. is a medicinal plant in the Brassicaceae family that has been used for the production of food and medicine. Scientists are becoming interested in it because of its rich phytochemical profile and ethnomedical uses. Nonetheless, a comprehensive understanding of its conventional use, bioactive components, pharmacological actions, and therapeutic significance is still crucial.

OBJECTIVE

This review examines Lepidium sativum's traditional uses, phytochemical profile, pharmacological actions, and toxicological and safety considerations.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This review was conducted in accordance with SANRA, and the findings were synthesized qualitatively.

RESULTS

This review shows Lepidium sativum has a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, wound-healing, reproductive, and anticancer effects. Bioactive components such as glucosinolates, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, coumarins, and lignans are mostly responsible for these activities. These compounds affect cellular signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, differences in phytochemical content, extraction techniques, dosage, bioavailability, and lack of standardization limit clinical translation. Traditional dosages of Lepidium sativum are usually harmless, but excessive doses or extended exposure to concentrated formulations may be harmful.

CONCLUSION

Lepidium sativum is a promising multipurpose medicinal plant that combines traditional knowledge with contemporary pharmacological research. Phytochemical bioactives and biological effects enable its growth as a source of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and medicinal agents. To determine its therapeutic potential, more research on molecular pathways, safety assessment, and clinical validation is necessary.