Abstract: Allium is a genus of plants with high medicinal and food value that contains a variety of bioactive constituents, including sulfur-containing compounds, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, nitrogen-containing compounds. The physiological functions of bioactive constituents in Allium, including antioxidant, antitumor and antibacterial effects and preventing cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases are reviewed in this paper. Meanwhile, future directions in the study of Allium are discussed. It is expected that this review will provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of Allium.

Key words: Allium, bioactive constituents, physiological functions, application