Dioscorea membranacea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Dioscoreales and the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dioscorea, specifically as the species Dioscorea membranacea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the diverse landscapes of the Indo-China region. Its geographical range specifically encompasses several distinct countries within this tropical area. Within this region, it can be found growing in Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout Myanmar and Thailand. Finally, its natural habitat extends into the territories of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea membranacea is characterized by a survival strategy centered around underground storage organs, specifically classifying it as a geophyte. As a member of the cryptophyte group, the plant protects its vital regenerative structures beneath the soil surface to endure unfavorable environmental conditions or seasonal changes. This life cycle involves a period of dormancy where the plant persists via its tuberous rhizomes, followed by a seasonal emergence of aerial growth once conditions become favorable. By utilizing this geophytic habit, the species ensures its long-term persistence in its habitat, relying on the stored energy within its subterranean parts to facilitate rapid development during the active growing season.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea membranacea is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for vertical ascent. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies toward host plants, and maintains a terrestrial life cycle rather than an epiphytic one. In terms of structural composition, the plant is non-woody, consisting of herbaceous tissues that support its climbing mechanism.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dioscorea membranacea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Natural product communications
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
4. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
5. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Chemicals

Dioscorea membranacea has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dioscorealide B, Dioscoreanone, Phenanthraquinone, Steroids, 5,6-Dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene.

Dioscorealide B

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Natural product communications
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
4. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet
5. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Dioscoreanone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Phenanthraquinone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Steroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

5,6-Dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

DIOSGENIN

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Dioscorealide A

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Activities

Dioscorea membranacea has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Conditions

Dioscorea membranacea has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, cancer, AIDS, anti-allergic, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Breast cancer

1. Natural product communications
2. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Aids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anti-allergic

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Liver cancer

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Lung cancer

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Malaria

1. Parasitology research

Preparations

Dioscorea membranacea has 6 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract, DM extract, EtOH extract, extracts, rhizome.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Dm extract

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Etoh extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizome

1. Natural product communications

Rhizomes

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine