Dioscorea panthaica

Dioscorea pantthaica, commonly known as a medicinal yam, is a significant plant species valued for its diverse therapeutic properties. Found in tropical regions, it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to address various ailments. This study explores its phytochemical composition, potential pharmacological benefits, and its growing importance in ethnopharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Dioscorea panthaica
  • Family: Dioscoreaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dioscorea and the specific species Dioscorea panthaica.

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 panthaica, is known by several different common names in Chinese depending on the regional context or specific characteristics identified. It is referred to as 黄山药 (Huáng shānyào), 黄姜 (Huángjiāng), and 姜黄草 (Jiānghuángcǎo), and it is also commonly called 老虎姜 (Lǎohǔjiāng).
Language Common Name Source
zh 黄山药 Wikidata
zh 老虎姜 Wikidata
zh 黄姜 Wikidata
zh 姜黄草 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found inhabiting the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the Southeast regions of China. Moving beyond Chinese borders, the species is also distributed throughout the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, its range includes the territory of Thailand.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Dioscorea panthaica, is a medicinal species where the whole plant is often utilized for its therapeutic properties. While many species within the Dioscorea genus are primarily valued for their starchy tubers, the entire organism—including the vines, leaves, and roots—can be integrated into traditional medicinal preparations. By employing the whole plant, practitioners can harness a diverse array of bioactive compounds distributed throughout its various anatomical structures to achieve specific healing effects.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Dioscorea panthaica has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include dioscin, diosgenin, progenin II, dioscoreside C, gracillin.

Total chemicals
10
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
dioscin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
diosgenin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
progenin II 2 ★☆☆☆☆
dioscoreside C 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gracillin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
parvifloside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
progenin III 1 ★☆☆☆☆
protobioside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
protodeltonin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
trilin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Dioscorea panthaica has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arrhythmia, cardiac diseases, cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
arrhythmia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiac diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coronary heart disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypercholesterolemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 1 ★☆☆☆☆