International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Shelke Sachin A, Sandeep GM Prasad, Maske Sachin V

Abstract
Garden cress has been considered as an important nutritional and medicinal plant in India since the Vedic era (between 500-1700 B.C.). In Ayurveda, the indigenous medicinal system, it is described as hot, bitter, galactogogue and claimed to destroy vata (air) and kapha (phlegm). Seeds are also rich source of omega 3-fatty acids which helps to lower cholesterol in hyper cholesterolemic patients. It is very famous in folk medicine. The present study was reviewed that the Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) seeds are well known traditionally for their medicinal and health beneficial properties such as hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and anticarcinogenic etc. Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, is increasing in prevalence drastically worldwide. Dietary supplements from natural sources are a well-accepted phenomenon for prevention or management of diabetes mellitus. Hence, inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase by plant phenolics is an effective technique to lower postprandial glucose level.