Centre for Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Ramgasamy College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Tiruchengode, Namakkal-637215, Tamilnadu, India.
Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2020;18(2):94-103. doi: 10.2174/1871525718666200207105436.
Stevia rebaudiana of the Asteraceae family is a perennial shrub. It is a sweetener herb also known as sweet weed, sweet leaf, sweet herbs and honey leaf, native to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The leaves of stevia are sweeter than sucrose with zero calories. Steviol, a diterpenoid glycoside derivative identified from this plant, is sweeter than sucrose and is safe when used as a sweetening agent. Diabetic and obese people with hyperglycemia who are in a condition to follow a strict diet can use stevioside as an alternative sweetener. In addition to its hypoglycemic property, the plant also exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-fertility and cardiotonic properties. It has also been documented to show good effects on treating skin diseases such as dermatitis, acne, eczema etc. The leaves of stevia with enriched phytoconstituents could be an alternative natural sweetener for children, adults and old age persons who have a craze to drink beverages and eat sweetened food products in their habitual life.
甜菊（Stevia rebaudiana）是菊科（Asteraceae）多年生灌木植物。它既是一种甜叶菊草本植物，也被称为甜草、甜叶、甜叶菊和蜜叶，原产于阿根廷、巴西和巴拉圭。甜菊叶比蔗糖甜，且零卡路里。从这种植物中分离出的甜菊醇双糖苷衍生物，比蔗糖甜，作为甜味剂使用是安全的。患有高血糖的糖尿病和肥胖人群如果需要严格控制饮食，可以使用甜菊糖甙作为替代甜味剂。除了降血糖的特性外，该植物还具有抗菌、抗炎、降血压、防腐、利尿、抗生育和强心作用。它还有很好的治疗皮肤病的效果，如皮炎、痤疮、湿疹等。富含植物营养素的甜菊叶可以作为儿童、成人和老年人的天然代糖，这些人在日常生活中喜欢喝饮料和吃甜食。
