Bioactives of as Potential Anti-Diabetic/Hypoglycemic Agents.

L., a member of the Curcubitaceae family, has traditionally been used as herbal medicine and as a vegetable. Functional ingredients of play important roles in body health and human nutrition, which can be used directly or indirectly in treating or preventing hyperglycemia-related chronic diseases in humans. The hypoglycemic effects of have been known for years. In this paper, the research progress of phytobioactives and their hypoglycemic effects and related mechanisms, especially relating to diabetes mellitus, has been reviewed. Moreover, the clinical application of in treating diabetes mellitus is also discussed, hoping to broaden the application of as functional food.