Dioscorea membranacea
Dioscorea membranacea, commonly known as the membrane yam, is a significant medicinal plant valued in traditional herbal medicine. Native to various subtropical regions, this climbing tuberous herb contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, offering promising therapeutic applications for supporting overall health and treating various ailments.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea membranacea
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dioscoreales | WCVP |
| Family | Dioscoreaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dioscorea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dioscorea membranacea, is known by various regional names depending on the language and local culture. In Chinese, it is commonly referred to as 膜荚薯 (mó jiá shǔ), while in English, it is often known by the name membrane yam. In Vietnamese, the plant is called củ màng mỏng.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dioscorea membranacea, is characterized by its underground storage organs which serve as its primary medicinal component. Specifically, the therapeutic properties are derived from the rhizomes, which function as the plant's nutrient reservoirs. When harvesting for medicinal use, it is the fleshy, tuberous rhizome that is collected, processed, and utilized for its various bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea membranacea has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include dioscorealide B, Dioscorealide B, dioscoreanone, phenanthraquinone, steroids.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dioscorealide B | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Dioscorealide B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dioscoreanone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenanthraquinone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dioscorealide A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diosgenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea membranacea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea membranacea has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, cancer, AIDS, anti-allergic, hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AIDS | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-allergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |