Eruca Sativa-A pharmacological review

Rocket (Eruca sativa Miller) is an annual herbaceous oilseed plant of family Brassicaceae. Its medicinal values have been reviewed in the present paper. These studies conducted on various parts of E. sativa plant revealed the presence of flavonoid compounds, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, phenolics, saponins and tannins ascorbic acid, essential oil. The essential oil contains volatile components as well as a great quantity of sulfur and nitrogen possessing compounds. The rocket plant is high in eruic acid. The rocket oil also has Glucosinolates (methylsulphinylbutyl isothiocyanate) which induce enzymes activity. It is generally used as a food, in which the leaves are eaten as part of salads. It is helpful in digestive process and kidney activities. E. sativa is mainly responsible for different biological and pharmacological activities such as: antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, analgesic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antigiardial activity etc. And further efforts concerning therapeutic significance are necessary for the improvement of human health.