Dioscorea bulbifera (Koko-bourik) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Dioscorea bulbifera (Koko-bourik) — family Dioscoréacées.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 10 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The monograph draws on 114 scientific references recorded for the species.

Therapeutic indications in alcoholic extraction:

Note: scientific reference excerpts are kept in their original language (most often English), without translation, to respect the source text of publications.

1. Cancer : Plant part used: Tuber.
   According to Wang J (2010): Taken together, our results indicate that the EF contains the main toxic ingredients of DB rhizome, & the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by it may be due to liver oxidative stress injury in mice. Hepatic tissues were used to assay for the level of lipid peroxide (LPO), amounts of antioxidants such as glutathione, & activities of antioxidant-related enzymes for liver oxidative-antioxidative status in mice. According to Li H (2020): This review illustrates the liver injury induced by DBL including metabolic activation of DSB & EEA, the essential components responsible for DBL-induced hepatotoxicity, along with biochemical mechanisms of their toxic actions.
2. Osteoarthritis, rheumatism, arthritis : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Aspirine-like.
   According to Mbiantcha M (2011): The oral administration of aqueous & methanol extracts caused significant anti-inflammatory activity on paw oedema induced by histamine, serotonin & formalin. The present results show that the bulbils of DB possess potent analgesic & anti-inflammatory activities. According to Nguelefack TB (2011): The oral administration of aqueous & methanol extracts caused significant anti-inflammatory activity on paw oedema induced by histamine, serotonin & formalin.
3. Anxiety, nervousness : Plant part used: Tuber. Documented pharmacological profile: Diazépam-like.
   According to Varsha G (2017): Further, anxiolytic activity of DBE was confirmed by head-dip test in which exploratory activity of mice was increased significantly. Anxiolytic potential of DBE was observed by the results of elevated plus maze test in which DBE significantly increased number of entries & time spent in the open arms.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use and full scientific references are available in the complete monograph.

Photo credit : Photo by Forest & Kim Starr without modification (CC BY 3.0). License : CC BY 3.0.