A REVIEW: PLANT OVERVIEW, PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACIVITY OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS

Raphanus sativus L. (radish), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is a commonly consumed vegetable with notable nutritional and medicinal significance. Traditionally employed in Unani, Greco-Arab, and Indian medicine, it has been used to manage digestive, hepatic, and respiratory disorders. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds, including glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, terpenes, and phenolics, which underpin its diverse pharmacological activities. Studies demonstrate its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial effects. Radish leaves, in particular, are more nutrient-dense than roots, containing higher levels of protein, fiber, and phenolic compounds, enhancing their therapeutic potential. Evidence also suggests its efficacy in mitigating oxidative stress, liver injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, infections, and respiratory conditions. Collectively, Raphanus sativus emerges as a versatile plant with promising applications in human health, highlighting its role in disease prevention and as a source of natural therapeutics.