A Review on the Phytochemical Composition and Potential Medicinal Uses of Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) Root

Abstract

The current review focuses on a plant with a wide spectrum of potential uses, Armoracia rusticana (syn. Armoracia lapathifolia), commonly known as horseradish. The plant has been cultivated for a long time and is used in food industry, mainly as a condiment, but recent research has provided data on other possible uses. This paper focuses on the botany, distribution, agriculture, and chemical characterization of this root, and its possible therapeutical uses. Relations to other species, distribution, and ethnopharmacology are briefly discussed. An introduction is provided about the stability and technical properties of the main constituents. Detailed pharmacological description is given on the chief chemical compounds, allyl and phenethyl isothiocyanates, including in vitro and animal studies and pharmacokinetics. The main isothiocyanates are mainly researched as possible anticancer and antimicrobial agents.

Keywords:

• Allyl isothiocyanate
• Functional food
• Gluconasturtiin
• Phenethyl isothiocyanate
• Sinigrin

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by Hungarian National Research Foundation grants OTKA K81370, F046493, GVOP-3.2.1.-2004-04-0110/3.0, and GVOP-TST 3.3.1-05/1-2005-05-0004/3.0. and by Kelet-Product zrt., which is greatly acknowledged. The work/publication is supported by the TÁMOP-4.2.2/B-10/1-2010-0024 project. The project is cofinanced by the European Union and the European Social Fund.