A Review on Garden Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) as a Medicinal and Multipurpose Plant

Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a perennial plant which belongs to the Asparagaceae family native to Asia, North Africa and Europe. This variety is an economically important crop with a high value in terms of food, drug activity and industry. Asparagus is rich in functional components such as Flavonoids, Saponin and Glutathione with high antioxidation activity. In comparison to 23 analyzed vegetables commonly consumed, it has been found that asparagus is the first in terms of total quality and quantity of antioxidants as a functional food. This plant has been used in a variety of (fresh or dried) foods and also as a traditional medicinal herb in both Asia (as a tonic, anticancer, and antitussive drug, especially in China) and Europe (as treatment for urinary tract inflammation). This study reviewed the most important chemical constituents in asparagus and its therapeutic properties.