%0 Journal Article
%@ 1040-8398
%A Zhang, Fan
%A Chen, Shengxiong
%A Zhang, Jianguo
%A Thakur, Kiran
%A Battino, Maurizio
%A Cao, Hui
%A Farag, Mohamed A.
%A Xiao, Jianbo
%A Wei, Zhaojun
%D 2023
%F uneatlantico:8682
%J Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
%K Saponin; asparagus; extraction;health benefits; anticancer; applications
%P 1-19
%T Asparagus saponins: effective natural beneficial ingredient in functional foods, from preparation to applications
%U http://repositorio.uneatlantico.es/id/eprint/8682/
%X Asparagus species is recognized as a perennial herb with several valuable functional ingredients, and has been widely used as medicine and food since ancient times. Among its main chemical constituents, saponins play a vital role in the health benefits and biological activities including anti-cancer, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic. This review summarizes the preparation methods, structure and classification, biological functions, as well as the food and non-food applications of asparagus saponins, with a special emphasis on its anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Further, the main challenges and limitations of the current research trends in asparagus saponins are highlighted after a detailed analysis of the recent research information. This review bridges the gap between bioactive components and human health and aids current research on functional and health-promoting foods and medicinal application of Asparagus saponins.