PHARMACOGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF DIOSCOREA BULBIFERA L.: A GATEWAY TO ITS MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Medicinal plants contain phytochemicals that are recognized for their wide range of therapeutic uses. Dioscorea bulbifera often referred to as the air potato or bitter yam, is a plant belonging to the Dioscoreaceae family, which includes about 600 species. It holds significant traditional medicinal importance worldwide, being used for treating various ailments. This plant is commonly found in India, Maldives, China, Japan, Indonesia, and is a staple food crop in West Africa. The plant features bulbous aerial tubers, toxic substances like the alkaloid dioscorine, and small, dioecious flowers. Dioscorea bulbifera grows in tropical and subtropical regions, preferring loamy soils and temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. It reproduces mainly asexually via bulbs. Dioscorea bulbifera is widely used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for conditions such as piles, dysentery, syphilis, ulcers, pain relief, and inflammation. The plant’s tubers and bulbils are noted for their cytotoxic properties, traditionally used in treating sore throats, goitre, and various other conditions. Phytochemical analyses reveal that the plant contains alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, contributing to its medicinal uses. The presence of these compounds varies with the plant’s geographical origin, highlighting its versatile medicinal potential.