Abstract
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant from South America and indigenous of Paraguay, has shown several biological effects and healthy properties, although it is especially used in South America and some Asiatic regions. In addition, it is a natural sweetener, almost 300 times sweeter than sucrose, being attributed to its phytoconstituents prominent antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic (antihyperglycemic, insulinotropic, and glucagonostatic), antiplatelet, anticariogenic, and antitumor effects. In this sense, this work aims to provide an extensive overview on the historical practices of stevia and its effects in human health based on its chemical composition and applications for both food and pharmaceutical industries.
Keywords:
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni; food-derived applications; health promotion; phytopharmacological potential.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Antioxidants / pharmacology
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Antioxidants / therapeutic use
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Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
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Diterpenes, Kaurane / isolation & purification
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Diterpenes, Kaurane / pharmacology
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Diterpenes, Kaurane / therapeutic use
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Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
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Glucosides / isolation & purification
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Glucosides / pharmacology
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Glucosides / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
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Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
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Plant Extracts / chemistry
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
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Plant Leaves / chemistry
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Plant Leaves / physiology
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Stevia* / chemistry
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Stevia* / physiology
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Sweetening Agents / chemistry
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Sweetening Agents / pharmacology
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Sweetening Agents / therapeutic use
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Antioxidants
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Diterpenes, Kaurane
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Glucosides
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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Plant Extracts
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Sweetening Agents
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stevioside