Research progress on chemical composition and biological activities of Medicago sativa L.

Medicago sativa L. is one of the most important perennnial plant which contains a variety of biological activites. M. sativa contains various bioactivity components, such as oleanane triterpene saponins, flavonoids, coumarin, alkaloids and so on. M. sativa has the wide range of biological activities, such as antifungal, antioxidant, hypolipidemic and anticancer effects. M. sativa has extremely important value in in health food and medical field. The research progress in chemical constituents and biological activities of M. sativa had been summarized. The applications of M. sativa in food and medince provide a reference for the further research.