BRASSICA NAPUS L. AS A SOURCE OF BIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2312-0967.2026.2.16368Keywords:
Brassica napus L., rapeseed oil, chemical composition, biologically active substances, pharmacological potential, antioxidant activity, cardioprotective effectAbstract
The aim of the work. Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a widespread and priority agricultural crop which has significant importance for the agrarian sector and industry. At the same time, this plant is interest to medicine and pharmacy due to its rich chemical composition. This paper systematizes scientific data about the botanical characteristics, distribution range, biochemical composition, and pharmacological effects of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).
Materials and methods. The study was performed using bibliographic analysis of scientific sources presented in electronic scientometric databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus), as well as in open access scientific publications.
Results and Discussion. The morphological structure, biological properties, and agricultural forms (winter and spring) that determine the crop's adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions are described. The geography of rapeseed cultivation is also outlined, showing that it is mainly grown in temperate regions of Europe, North America, and Asia and is one of the leading oilseed crops in global agriculture.
Particular attention is paid to the chemical composition of the seeds and oil. It is shown that the seeds are characterized by a high content of lipids and proteins, while the fatty acid profile of the oil is dominated by oleic acid and includes essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition to triacylglycerols, tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and other antioxidants have been identified in rapeseed oil. Glucosinolates and their products of enzymatic degradation, which are characteristic of the Brassicaceae family, are of special interest.
Analysis of experimental studies indicates that rapeseed oil components may exhibit antioxidant, hypolipidemic, inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and even potential antitumor properties. The results justify the prospects of using rapeseed and its processed products in functional foods, dietary supplements, agents for preventing metabolic disorders, as well as in drugs.
Conclusion. Consequently, rapeseed is considered not only as an important agricultural crop but also as a valuable source of biologically active substances with potential applications in pharmaceutical practice, which underscores the relevance of further research.
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