Abstract:

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey is a Chinese traditional drug as well as one of traditional exported commodities from China. It has become one of the most important economic crops in Guangxi. Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey has the following distinct characteristics: high sweetness, low calories, and not pathogenic of diabetes and caries. They have been listed by the National Ministry of Health and Chinese Medicine Administration as the first “List of Categories of Foods and Drugs”. Moreover, they are widely used as ideal natural sweetening agents. As the prospect of application is good, there have been constant documentary reports of the pharmacological effects and toxicity of Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffreys over the recent years. The article summarizes the pharmacological effects and toxicity of corsvenor momordica fruits, and gives an outlook of the future research of its genetic toxicity on the basis of its dual characters as a medicine and also as a food.