Dioscorea oppositifolia
Dioscorea oppositifolia, commonly known as purple yam, is a versatile tuberous plant native to various subtropical regions. Renowned for its nutritional density, it serves as a vital dietary staple. Beyond cooking, its bioactive compounds offer significant medicinal potential, particularly in supporting metabolic health and providing antioxidant protection.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea oppositifolia
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dioscoreales, it is classified under the family Dioscoreaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Dioscorea as Dioscorea oppositifolia.
| 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, known scientifically as Dioscorea oppositifolia, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 薯蓣 (zh-hans), 對葉薯蕷 or 薯蕷 (zh-hant), and 薯蕷 (zh-hk). In Korean, it is identified as Dioscorea opposita (eo), while in Japanese, it is commonly called ナガイモ (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 薯蓣 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 對葉薯蕷、薯蕷 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 薯蕷 | Wikidata |
| eo | Dioscorea opposita | Wikidata |
| ja | ナガイモ | Wikidata |
| pl | Pochrzyn chiński | Wikidata |
| ko | 마 | Wikidata |
| sv | Jams | Wikidata |
| th | ฮ่วยซัว | Wikidata |
| es | Dioscorea opposita | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing throughout the diverse landscapes of India and its neighboring nation, Bangladesh. Its presence is also noted in the specific state of Assam, contributing to the local biodiversity. Furthermore, the species extends into the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya. Finally, its geographical range reaches as far south as the island of Sri Lanka.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dioscorea oppositifolia, is a medicinal climbing vine that utilizes various components for therapeutic purposes. The most significant part used is the tuberous crop, which serves as the primary storage organ for the plant's nutrients and bioactive compounds. In addition to the tubers, the dried rhizome is frequently harvested and processed for medicinal applications, often requiring careful preparation to ensure potency. Furthermore, the aerial parts, which include the stems and leaves, can also be utilized depending on the specific traditional remedy being prepared.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuberous crop | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea oppositifolia has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,5-dimethoxy-2,7-phenanthrenediol, azinphos-ethyl, chlorfenvinphos, fenitrothion, fensulfothion.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3,5-dimethoxy-2,7-phenanthrenediol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| azinphos-ethyl | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorfenvinphos | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fenitrothion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fensulfothion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methidathion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| paraoxon | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| parathion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| parathion-methyl | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quinalphos | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea oppositifolia has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic, Abortifacient, Antibacterial, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea oppositifolia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, obesity.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |