Dioscorea
Yam
Dioscorea, commonly known as yam, is a diverse genus of flowering plants prized for both nutrition and medicine. Beyond being a global staple food, many species contain bioactive compounds like diosgenin. These phytochemicals are essential in pharmacology for synthesizing hormones, making Dioscorea a vital resource in modern medicine.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dioscoreales. Finally, it is a member of the family Dioscoreaceae within the genus Dioscorea.
| 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, is referred to by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Southern Min, it is called Soaⁿ-io̍h, while in Chinese, it is identified as 薯蓣属. In Tibetan, the name used is ཞོག་རྒོད།, and in Polish, it is known as Pochrzyń. Additionally, in Hausa, the plant is called Doya.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nan | Soaⁿ-io̍h | Wikidata |
| zh | 薯蓣属 | Wikidata |
| bo | ཞོག་རྒོད། | Wikidata |
| pl | Pochrzyn | Wikidata |
| ha | Doya | Wikidata |
| ig | Jí | Wikidata |
| ko | 마속 | Wikidata |
| yo | Isu | Wikidata |
| de | Yams | Wikidata |
| ml | കാച്ചിൽ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it is also established in Middle Europe. Specifically, the species is documented in countries such as Austria and Belgium. Finally, its geographical range extends to include Germany within the Middle European region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, belonging to the genus Dioscorea, is characterized by its complex storage structures used to survive dormant periods. The most significant medicinal components are found in its tubers, which serve as the primary nutrient reservoirs. These underground and/or aerial tubers can vary in shape and size depending on the specific species, though they are most commonly found as subterranean rhizomes or thickened root-like structures that store starch and bioactive compounds. In addition to these fleshy parts, the plant contains essential oil within its tissues, which contributes to its distinct aromatic properties and therapeutic efficacy.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| underground and/or aerial tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| subterranean rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dioscoreae rhizoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include diosgenin, steroids, Diosgenin, amylose, clerodane diterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diosgenin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Diosgenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amylose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| clerodane diterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyclic peptides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| emodin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea has 12 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Estrogenic, Hypolipidemic, Adjuvant, Androgenic.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adjuvant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Contraceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, antidiabetic, atherosclerosis, contraceptive, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contraceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| human immunodeficiency virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melanoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |