Abstract: As a medicinal and edible plant, bitter gourd is rich in polysaccharides, saponins, peptides, flavonoids and other active ingredients, which execute auxiliary hypoglycemic, blood lipid-lowering, antioxidant, immune-enhancing and other healthcare functions. In this paper, recent domestic and international advances in studying active ingredients of bitter gourd and its healthcare functions are reviewed.

Key words: bitter gourd, polysaccharide, peptide, saponin, hypoglycemic, antioxidant