The research advances on Mesona chinensis Benth in China

As an ideal, natural, safe and healthy food material with abundant nutrients and special medical functions, Mesona chinensis Benth is an important medicinal and edible plant resource,which has become a hot research topic during recent years. The paper described an introduction on the resource distribution, physiological characteristics and processing application of Mesona chinensis Benth. The characteristic features of plant and its chemical composition, pharmacological action,cultivation management techniques, tissue culture and researches on molecular biology were been discussed in this paper. The prospects of the research and development on Mesona chinensis Benth were analyzed as well, aiming at providing more references for the further studies and utilization of the species.