**9. Conclusions**

The genus Asparagus is an herbaceous plant comprising approximately 150 species around the world, and consisting of herbs, shrubs and vines. Asparagus species possess bioactive properties, such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antihepatotoxic, immunostimulant, and reproductive agents. In the present review study, five native Asparagus species (namely: *Asparagus laricinus* 


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*Medicinal Properties of Selected Asparagus Species: A Review*

**Mode of Action Beneficial role in** 

*Asparagus officinalis L.* showed antidiabetic activity through the suppression of blood glucose levels. The saponins from this plant inhibits the growth of leukemic cells, had antifungal activity, and scavenged antioxidants. The extracts of this plant further displayed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory potential *in vitro* also induced diuretic effects *in vivo*

The glycoside from *Asparagus racemosus Willd.* blocks the oxytocin-induced contractions and have galactagogic properties that leads to increase in milk secretion during lactation. The roots of *Asparagus racemosus Willd.* showed significant antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ADH and

Methanolic extract of roots displayed important antitussive activity and antiprotozoal activity against *Entamoeba* 

antimicrobial activities

*histolytica in vitro*

**human health**

*Asparagus officinalis L.* is believed to have laxative, diuretic and contraceptive effects, and as a remedy for neuritis, rheumatism, cancer, toothache relieve, face acne lesion, as well as to stimulate hair growth

*Asparagus racemosus Willd.* is used to improve memory intelligence, physical strength, as a uterine sedative, and to maintain youthfulness. It is used as a female tonic to prevent abortion, to promote the health of the mother and growing fetus when used in antenatal care and acts as post-partum tonic by normalizing uterus and changing hormones. Despite being a rejuvenating herb, it is used in female infertility, as it increases libido, ovulation, can be used to moisten dry tissues of the sexual organs and it's able to cure inflammation of sexual organs. This plant also increases lactation and is useful for the treatment of gynecological diseases when used in postnatal care. The juice of fresh roots is recommended for duodenal ulcers. The plant can also be used to treat urinary tract infections, skin diseases, and wounds, in preventing constipation, and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, carminative, and antiseptic. It is also used for nervous and rheumatic infections

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87048*

*Asparagus officinalis L.* contain steroid saponins, amino acids, fructans, ferulic acid and flavonoids (quercetin, rutin hyperoside, and isoquercitrin), oligofurostanosides, new isolated asparagusic acid, two major anthocyanins. Carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber and nitrogen where found in this plant.

*Asparagus racemosus Willd.* is reported to have alkaloids, proteins, starch, tannin, flavonoids, glycosides of quercetin, rutin and hyperoside in roots and flowers. There were few trace minerals identified from this plant species such as zinc, manganese, copper, cobalt, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and selenium. The main active sections of *Asparagus racemosus Willd.* are steroidal saponins, racemofuran, polycyclic alkaloid, together with known compounds asparagamine A and racemosol

**Active phytochemicals**

**Plant species**

*Asparagus officinalis L.*

*Asparagus racemosus Willd.*


rheumatic infections

*Phytochemicals in Human Health*

**9. Conclusions**

**Plant species**

*Asparagus laricinus Burch*

*Asparagus africanus Lam*.

**Active phytochemicals**

roots

The main contents of the plant are carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. Two compounds namely; 2 beta-, 12 alpha-dihydroxy- (25R)-spirosta-4,7 dien-3-one, lignan (+)-nyasol, and (Z)-(+)-4,4-(3 ethenyl-1-propene-1,3-diyl) bisphenol) were isolated from *Asparagus africanus Lam* roots, but their mode of actions has not been documented

*Asparagus laricinus Burch* roots and leaves have tannins, saponins, terpenes and steroids. The stems are rich in saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, with a lack of steroids, glycosides and carbohydrates. Only roots have alkaloids and indole-3 carbinol, α-sitosterol and ferulic acid were isolated from the

ulcers in the mouth as well as for HIV. Thrush results from an overgrowth of normal flora in the mouth. The anti-fungal activity of this plant has not been studied yet, together with its anti-HIV activity, as the plant has been reported to be used ethnobotanically for HIV. Further studies to isolate the active compounds, elucidate the safety of this plant and to fully confirm its pharmacological activity are needed.

The genus Asparagus is an herbaceous plant comprising approximately 150 species around the world, and consisting of herbs, shrubs and vines. Asparagus species possess bioactive properties, such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antihepatotoxic, immunostimulant, and reproductive agents. In the present review study, five native Asparagus species (namely: *Asparagus laricinus* 

**Mode of Action Beneficial role in** 

*Asparagus laricinus Burch.* has flavonoids that inhibited microbial growth and scavenged antioxidants. Both leaves and stem extracts showed that they contain saponins, which ultimately has a suppressive effect on inflammation. This plant was not toxic when administered orally to rats, it was non-mutagenic, however, root aqueous extract showed an indirect mutagenic effect toward *Salmonella typhimurium* TA102 strain after metabolic activation, but not in TA97, TA98 and TA100 strains. β-Sitosterol isolated from this plant is known for its therapeutic and chemopreventive uses in the medical field, while prostate cancer is being treated by Indole-3-carbinol. This plant had anticancer activity on breast (MCF7), renal (TK10) and melanoma (UACC62)

This plant has acetylcholine effect on uterine contraction and antiplasmodial activity. Two antiprotozoal compounds; a sapogenin (muzanzagenin) and lignan ((+) nyasol), which were reported to be responsible for the antimalarial activity, have been isolated from *Asparagus africanus Lam*. The presence of saponins and carbohydrates from *Asparagus africanus Lam.* showed significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory activities

and antimicrobial activities

**human health**

*Asparagus laricinus Burch.* is used to treat tuberculosis, sores, red water, uterine infection, general alignments, umbilical cord inflammation, and serve as a diuretic

*Asparagus Africanus Lam.* is used for treating headaches, backaches, stomach pains, malaria, to treat sexual transmitted infections and also used to assist in childbirth. It is also used to treat central nervous system related conditions, tuberculosis, venereal diseases and as an aid during childbirth. External application of the root is used for rheumatism and chronic gout. It is further used a diuretic, for sore throats and

otitis

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**Table 1.**

*Summary of phytochemicals, mode of action and the role of selected asparagus species in human health.*

*Burch*., *Asparagus africanus Lam*., *Asparagus officinalis L.*, *Asparagus racemosus Willd*. and *Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth)* Jessop) were evaluated for their historical, etymological, morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. The phytochemicals, mode of action and the role of selected Asparagus species in human health have been summarized in **Table 1**.
