Research progress in key active factors and major function on Asparagus officinalis L.and its wild relatives

Asparagus officinalis L.is an important high nutrition vegetable rich in bioactive factors such as rutin, saponins, plant polysaccharides, organic selenium, free amino acid and vitamins.It is also considered as one of important herbal medicine plants which can prevent and treat several diseases for human such as tumour, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and obesity.The latest advances in the areas of the bioactive factors, their major functions, and pharmacological mechanism in Asparagus officinalis L.and its wild relatives were reviewed.The prospect of Asparagus officinalis L.as an important functional vegetable both of food and medicine for the future was made as well.