A DESCRIPTIVE REVIEW ON RAPHANUS SATIVUS LINN.

Raphanus sativus (radish), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is a widely cultivated and consumed root vegetable across the globe. Its nutritional and medicinal significance has been extensively documented through various studies. Traditionally, extracts from both aerial and underground parts of radishes have been employed in folk medicine to manage a range of ailments, including digestive disorders, urinary infections, hepatic inflammation, cardiovascular complications, and ulcers. The therapeutic potential of radish is primarily attributed to its rich composition of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates, polyphenols, flavonoids, and isothiocyanates, which confer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. This review emphasizes the impact of radish extract administration in pathological conditions, including cancer, diabetes, liver dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Additionally, it provides a detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which radish-derived compounds regulate critical drug targets associated with various cancers and metabolic disorders. By modulating signaling pathways, apoptotic proteins, and detoxification enzymes, these bioactive constituents demonstrate considerable potential in preventing and managing chronic diseases, highlighting radish as a promising candidate for both functional foods and therapeutic applications in modern medicine.