Dioscorea spp. (A Wild Edible Tuber): A Study on Its Ethnopharmacological Potential and Traditional Use by the Local People of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

Introduction

Food and health for all are major challenges for the developing countries this century. These challenges need to be addressed robustly. Scientific researchers can find practical solutions by searching for alternate sources of food and medicines. India is rich in phytodiversity, with about 45,000 plant species from the Western Ghats to Eastern Ghats along with the North-Eastern region and from the Greater Himalayas to the plain of Ganga. The forests of Odisha form a major part of the Eastern Ghats (Majumadar and Datta, 2015; Pellegrini et al., 2016). The state is also blessed with a biosphere reserve, Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), which covers major part of Eastern Ghats (Figure 1). Besides having large floral biodiversity, SBR is inhabited by many local communities. The food and medicinal habits of these local people are unexplored even today. The forest resources available in this area are most often ill managed due to lack of awareness. In addition, there has been an increasing awareness about the nutritional status of the community, particularly regarding young children and nursing mothers, during recent years (Raju et al., 2015; Ahmed, 2016; Thongam et al., 2016). The Government of India and other organizations are carrying out a number of programs to create awareness; however, malnutrition remains challenge to rural and local communities of India. The condition is still worse in a state like Odisha in general and among the local communities of SBR in particular.

Appropriate nourishment needs to be pursued at household level, particularly in remote areas like SBR. The solution to these burning problems can be achieved through measured use of available natural resources. To fulfill their needs, people try to get their nutritional and medicinal requirements through nonconventional means, by consuming various wild plants and their parts (Singh and Arora, 1978). Such nonconventional sources are directly related to biodiversity. Nature provides numerous wild edible-medicinal products, such as leaves, flowers, fruits, nuts, berries, stems, roots, and tubers (Chandrasekara and Kumar, 2016; Geng et al., 2016; Hailu and Addis, 2016; Keservani et al., 2016). Among these, roots and tubers come under the minor wild crops, having very less scientific documentation, although they play important roles to fight against food scarcity. As wild tuber crops available in SBR, Discorea sp. (Ban aalu) species play a prime role in providing food and medicinal requirements for the local communities (Kumar et al., 2012, 2013a,b).

There are about 13 types of Dioscorea species found in SBR. The most common Dioscorea species are D. bulbifera L. (Pita aalu), D. pentaphylla L. (Panja Sanga), D. hispida Dennst. (Banya aalu), D. alata L. (Khamba aalu), D. oppositifolia L. (Paani aalu), D. pubera Blume (Kukai Sanga) etc. Ten species are known to be bitter in taste or unpalatable when taken raw. The rural and local people who use them as food supplements make them edible by different traditional practices. While investigating traditional food systems and palatability of Dioscorea species available in SBR, it was observed that tubers are mostly soaked overnight in water or left overnight in stream and subjected to successive boiling to remove the bitterness (Bhandari and Kawabata, 2005; Kumar et al., 2012; Misra et al., 2013). Dioscorea species with nutritive and antioxidant content not only enrich the diet of the local rural and local people but also make them ethnomedicinally important (Son et al., 2014; Chandrasekara and Kumar, 2016; Cui et al., 2016; Liu et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2016). Tubers of different species of Dioscorea are used for curing various diseases and ailments in different formulations. Most of the tubers of Dioscorea examined in the present study are used for birth control and skin infections. Tubers and vegetative parts of these species are used either in single or in multiple formulations.

A harmonious blend of indigenous knowledge is therefore essential to document and promote proper utilization of such resources available in the state. In this context, the present study found some unique and unreported ethnobotanical claims of Dioscorea species available in SBR. Knowledge of local practitioners and millions of aboriginals from generation to generation flows into the mainstream, which has emerged as a traditional therapeutic system. However, the modern scientific mind cannot accept such local knowledge unless it is experimentally substantiated. The curative properties of medicinal and aromatic plants are due to the presence of certain bioactive compounds in them (Arunachalam et al., 2015; Atansov et al., 2015; Yamani et al., 2016). Through literature survey, the bioactive compounds present in the vegetative parts of some Dioscorea species were noted and concluded. The bioactive compounds presents in most of the Dioscorea species are in the phenolic group of compounds (Liu et al., 2011; Ghosh et al., 2012; Raju and Rao, 2012; Kumar et al., 2013a; Schulte et al., 2013; Saxena and Raja, 2014; Woo et al., 2014; Yang et al., 2014; Dzialo et al., 2016; Price et al., 2016; Van, 2016). Keeping all the properties of Dioscorea species available in SBR and utilized by the local community of SBR, an attempt has been made here to document the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological values of Dioscorea species used by the local communities of SBR, Odisha, India which would be helpful for researchers for utilization of this plant species in pharmaceutical applications and drug discovery.

Similipal biosphere reserve

Similipal in Odisha state of India was designated as a biosphere reserve in June 1994, as the representative ecosystem under the Eastern Ghats. The SBR (Figure 1) has a unique assemblage of a number of ecosystems, such as mountains, forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which congregate into a contiguous patch with a range of diverse vegetation types. Its rich flora and fauna with many indicator species make the region a unique base for ecological studies. The biosphere reserve has varied topography and geologic formations, and rich biodiversity. It is also the habitat of many aboriginals (Das and Das, 2008).

The SBR is called the “Himalayas of Odisha” as it controls the climatic regime of parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Eastern India (Saxena and Brahmam, 1989). It harbors the largest tropical peninsular Sal zone forming a biological link between Northern and Southern India. The SBR is located in central part of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha state of India, close to the interstate boundary with West Bengal state in the North-East direction and Jharkhand state in the North-West (Misra, 1997; Girach et al., 1999; Behera, 2006; Reddy et al., 2007; Thatoi et al., 2008; Rout et al., 2009). It extends between 21°10′ to 22° 12′ N latitude and 85° 58′ to 86° 42′ E longitude, ranging between 300 and 1180 m above sea level. SBR is a firm mass of natural forest spread over a total area of 5569 km² with core (845 km²) and buffer zones (2, 129 km²) composed of 16 forest ranges surrounded by a transitional zone (5, 569 Km²). The average elevation is 559.31 meters (Mohanta et al., 2006; Misra et al., 2011; Panda et al., 2011). The highest point in this group of hills is the Meghasani Hill (literally meaning The Seat of Clouds), which rises to about 1166 meters above sea level. Durdurchampa (1009 meters) and Chahala (775 meters) are the other important hills of the area (Saxena and Brahmam, 1989). Thus, SBR has idiosyncratic biodiversity harboring number of endemic, threatened, rare, medicinal, and economically important plants. Recent reports indicate, SBR has around 1254 species of vascular plants, representing 46% of the flora of Odisha and 7% that of India, including about 94 species of orchids, and about 52 species of rare/ endangered plants (Yoganarasimhan and Dutta, 1972; Swain and Nanda, 1997; Misra et al., 2003, 2011, 2013; Reddy et al., 2007; Rout and Thatoi, 2009; Mishra et al., 2011; Kumar et al., 2012).

Local communities of similipal biosphere reserve and their traditional use of Dioscorea species

The extensive and densely forested hilly tracts of SBR are the home of many local communities, such as Bathudi, Bhumija, Gonda, Ho, Kolha, Mahali, Munda, Pauri Bhuiyan, Santhal, and Saunti, including two primitive groups, Hill-Kharia and Mankirdia (Saxena and Brahmam, 1989; Pandey et al., 2000; Pandey and Rout, 2003; Mohanta et al., 2006; Mishra, 2010; Kumar et al., 2012; Misra et al., 2013; Pedi et al., 2013; Sahoo, 2013). There are around 61 villages inside the core and buffer zone and about 1200 villages in the transitional zone, having a total population of about 4,50,000, out of which the scheduled tribes constitute 73.44 % of the total population of Similipal (Mishra, 2010; Mishra et al., 2011; Upadhyay et al., 2012). These poor local peoples practice primitive culture, traditions, and rituals, and have no or very few acquired skills. Their main occupation is food gathering, hunting, collection of forest products, and traditional farming or agriculture. In the present study, the Ho, Bathudi, Mankirdia, Kolho, Munda, and Santhal were selected for detailed study on their traditional knowledge on Dioscorea species.

The “Ho” is a Kolarian ethnic group belonging to the same stock of Munda and Kol. They mainly cultivate rice, maize, and millets along with seasonal vegetables. They also collect different types of wild plants from the forest and store them (Ota et al., 2013). They usually collect tubers and rhizome, including starchy tubers of Dioscorea species. They use tubers as food and medicine (Tables 1, 2). They are inhibiting from collecting D. pubera Blume (Figures 2.3, 2.5) during rainy seasons. Mankirdia is a primitive tribe that constitutes a semi-nomadic section of the Birhor tribe (Ota, 2007; Dash, 2011). They are primarily a hunting and food gathering community (Ota and Mohanty, 2008). The present study observed that they wander from Similipal to Hazaribagh National Park (Jharkhand) and return after a year to Similipal again (Source: Token Mankirdia, interviewed near the Kalikaparsad gate, transitional zone of SBR). During their movement in forest, they collect various types of medicinal plants to cure common diseases. They collect tuber of D. bulbifera L. (Figure 2.2) and D. pentaphylla L. (Figure 2.1) for curing skin infections, and abdominal pain, and for birth control (Kumar et al., 2012; Misra et al., 2013). They also collect tubers during early winter and store them for consuming in the summer and rainy seasons. The Hill-Kharia, locally known as “Pahari Kharia” is a highland local group (Ota et al., 2008). They are expert in collection of honey, resin, and arrowroot. They are primarily a forager community in the SBR. They do major seasonal collection along with agricultural labor in the agricultural season (Ota and Sahoo, 2013). During the rainy season, most of the Hill-Kharia face rice scarcity, and they principally depend on other food stuffs, like maize, edible roots, and tubers of Dioscorea species and corns. The Santhals, one of the common local communities of India, mainly inhabit in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore in the state of Odisha, India. They collect minor forest products like tubers, roots, fruits, green leaves, honey, mahua flowers, etc., that sustain them for 3–4 months in a year (Ota and Patnaik, 2014). Bathudi is also a very common local community in SBR. They are simple and shy in nature. They are excellent at agriculture and gathering forest products and medicinal plants. A detailed study on Dioscorea species is presented below.

Dioscorea species: the wild tuber crop

Botany of Dioscorea sp.

The word “Yam” is applied to members of the genus Dioscorea belonging to the family Dioscoreaceae in the order Dioscoreales (Alexander and Coursey, 1969). Wild species are either annuals or semi-perennials or perennials. Cultivated species are annuals. Generally, the female plants are less in number than the male plants. Most Dioscorea species have simple, cordate, or acuminate leaves borne on long petiole, but in some species, they are lobed or palmate with pointed tips. They are climbers and climb by twining. The direction of twining of the vine (i.e., anti-clock wise or clock wise) is a characteristic peculiar to the particular sections within the genus Dioscorea. The wings present in some species, such as D. alata L. (Figure 2.9), support the twining habit. The flowers are basically dioecious, with male and female flowers borne separately or on separate plants. The male or female flowers are borne on axillary spikes in the leaf axils. The male flowers are sessile, glabrous, and spherical and are borne axially or terminally. These flowers consist of calyx of three sepals and corolla of three petals, arranged regularly and almost similar in size and appearance, with three or six stamens (Onwueme, 1978). Fruits are mostly capsules. The seed in each capsule is small and has wings that vary in shape in different species (Onwueme, 1978). The seeds are flat and light, and the wings help in wind dispersion. Some species, such as D. alata L., D. bulbifera L., D. pentaphylla L., D. pubera Blume, have bulbils in the axils. Bulbils are specifically adapted for vegetative propagation (Coursey, 1967). They are very smaller than the underground tubers. Short day length generally accelerates formation of bulbils. Dioscorea possess shallow fibrous root systems, normally un-branched and concentrated within the top layer of the soil, and very few actually penetrate up to 1 m depth (Onwueme, 1978). The tuber is the storage organ, which forms a new tuber and shrivels away simultaneously when the re-growth is induced. When the organ lacks the typical characteristics of a modified stem structure, the tuber has no preformed buds or terminal bud at the distal end (Hahn et al., 1987).

Ethnobotanical values of Dioscorea sp.

Dioscorea have sound ethnobotanical values throughout the Tropics. There are numerous reports available on local claims on Dioscorea species worldwide. In some forest areas of Southern Thailand, which are situated in the Tropical rain forest zone of Southeast Asia, local people use Dioscorea species to treat warts (Maneenoon et al., 2008). The boiled tubers of D. membranacea Pierre ex Prain & Burkill are used to treat asthma and fever (Maneenoon et al., 2008). The mucilage from the tubers of D. piscatorum Prain & Burkill is used to poison fish is used by the native people of Malaysia as a piscicide (Burkill, 1951, 1960). D. prazeri Prain & Burkill is used as soap and shampoo to kill lice in India (Maneenoon et al., 2008). Dioscorea is used in curing gastritis among Yoruba local groups of Cuba (Kadiri et al., 2014). Tubers of D. hamiltonii Hook.f. are used as body refrigerant during summer and are also used to treat diarrhea (Dutta, 2015). D. bulbifera L. is used against tuberculosis and raw tuber of D. pentaphylla L. against diphtheria in cattle (Sharma and Bastakoti, 2009). Tubers of D. oppositifolia L. (Figure 2.7) are used in the treatment of swellings, scorpion stings, and snake bites (Dutta, 2015). Juice of D. wallichii Hook.f. is used in the treatment of Jaundice. D. hispida Dennst. (Figure 2.6) is used as an antidote to arrow poison (Sinha and Lakra, 2005; Edison et al., 2006; Mishra S. et al., 2008; Swarnkar and Katewa, 2008; Sahu et al., 2010). Details of ethnobotanical values of different species of Dioscorea are listed in Table 1. Besides the traditional therapeutic values, many researchers reported other pharmacological/ common uses of different Dioscorea species.

Food values of Dioscorea sp.

Since the adoption of the convention on biodiversity in 1992, there has been a general agreement on the importance of biodiversity, especially the diversity of wild and cultivated plants, to fill the need of the world population for food (FAO, 1998). In developing countries like India, people do not get enough food to meet their daily requirement, and most often the diet is deficient in one or more micronutrients (FAO, 1994). India faced a series of famines and major food shortages before 1940s. National food grain production was merely 50.82 million tons during 1950–1951, but has risen to 264.38 million tons in 2012–2013 (FAO, 1994). Edible roots and tubers not only enrich the diet due to the presence of starch and energy supplemented metabolites in them, but also possess medicinal properties due to the presence of diverse secondary metabolites. The tuber crop under study here, Dioscorea, is superior to many others as an important medico-food used by about 300 million people throughout the world (Arnau et al., 2010). In fact, they are one of the principal sources of energy food for many people in the Tropics (Nayaboga et al., 2014). As per source of dietary nutrients, Dioscorea species rank as the world's fourth most important root and tuber crops after potatoes, cassava, and sweet potatoes (Lev and Shriver, 1998). Many of the tubers of Dioscorea are bitter in taste, and local people use traditional skills to remove bitterness. Aboriginals also use their tubers as snacks, and in roasted, powdered, and other forms (Kumar et al., 2012; Misra et al., 2013). The same processes are also followed in various parts of India, including the Himalayan regions and North-Eastern part of India (Sheikh et al., 2013), Orissa (Sinha and Lakra, 2005; Kumar and Satpathy, 2011; Kumar et al., 2012; Misra et al., 2013), Tamil Nadu (Rajyalakshmi and Geervani, 1994; Shajeela et al., 2011), and among Palliyar and Kanikkar tribes (Shanthakumari et al., 2008; Arinathan et al., 2009) living in South-Eastern slopes of Western Ghats (Padmaja et al., 2001). They are also used by the local of Kumaon and Garhwal hills of India (Pramila et al., 1991). The nutrient content of the Yam has been compared with several other crops (Table 3; Wanasundera and Ravindran, 1994).

Out of about 600 species, only 10 species of Dioscorea are cultivated throughout the world. In India, about 26 Dioscorea species are reported, and of them 13 are reported in SBR, Odisha (Kumar et al., 2012). Out of these 13 species, only one, D. alata L., is cultivated in this region, and the remaining species mostly grow wild in this zone. Tubers of 12 wild Dioscorea species available in Odisha have sound nutritional values, but have low palatability due to their bitterness (Kumar et al., 2012). Dioscorea the starchy edible tuber is of ample economic and nutritional importance in the Tropical and Sub-tropical regions of the world (Sharma and Bastakoti, 2009). In fact, the tubers are rich sources of food and energy (Table 3). The world's estimated yam production in 2010 was 48.7 million tons (Abasi et al., 2013). They have been reported to be good sources of essential dietary nutrients (Wanasundera and Ravindran, 1994).

Bitterness and Dioscorea sp.

In spite of their nutritional importance, they possess some anti-nutritional factors and secondary metabolites, which make them bitter in taste and reduce the palatability. The major toxic content is dioscorine, an alkaloid present in most of the species of Dioscorea (Lu et al., 2012). Dioscorine triggers fatal paralysis of the nervous system (Reddy, 2015). Similarly, histamine was reported to be the principal allergen present, causing mild inflammation and itching (Shim and Oh, 2008). Some other compounds found in Dioscorea are furanoid-norditerpene, saponin, oxalate, tannin, and phytic acid. The primary bitter components present in the tubers of D. bulbifera L. have been identified by several researchers as the “furanoid norditerpenes” (diosbulbins A and B) (Martin, 1974; Webster et al., 1984; Bhandari and Kawabata, 2005). Therefore, various techniques are implemented to reduce or to eliminate the bitterness by the people. Most common techniques used to reduce the bitterness includes boiling/steaming and/or baking over coals after either cleaning (bulbils) or cleaning and peeling (tubers) (Bhandari and Kawabata, 2005). Martin (1974) documented that the tubers of several toxic varieties of D. bulbifera L. are made palatable by the above said techniques and are used as a source of food during the extreme conditions such as drought and or famine. In some places, the detoxification is done with lime or sand and then slow-roasting or repeated boiling with wood ashes followed by steeping sliced pieces in running water (Martin, 1974; Webster et al., 1984).

Pharmacological potential of Dioscorea sp.

Studies reveal that the tubers of Dioscorea species possess high amounts of polyphenolic compounds (Liu et al., 2011). Several researchers have reported the pharmacological importance of Dioscorea species (Kumar and Jena, 2014). Dioscorea species have been reported to have anti-oxidative, anti-fungal, anti-mutagenic, hypoglycaemic, and immunomodulary effects (Son et al., 2007). They are also used as important ingredients of dietary supplements and in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries (Black et al., 2007). Tubers and other parts of Dioscorea possess different types of phenolic compounds, which might be responsible for the antimicrobial activities (Sara et al., 2010). Aderiye et al. (1996) reported the antifungal activity of D. alata L. peel extracts.

In the year 2003, Seetharam et al. (2003) documented the antimicrobial activity of D. bulbifera L. (bulbil) against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Rhizopus nigricans. Many authors have reported the antimicrobial potential of different species of Dioscorea sp. in different studies such as antibacterial activities of D. zingiberensis C.H. Wright by Xu et al. (2008); antimicrobial activity of D. hamiltonii Hook.f. tubers with Azadirachta indica stem by Kaladhar et al. (2010); the antibacterial activity of D. pentaphylla L. against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae, and anti-fungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum audouini, and Candida albicans found in the mid-Western Ghats by Prakash and Hosetti (2010). The antibacterial activity of D. villosa L. tubers against S. dysenteriae, E. coli, V. cholerae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus was also reported (Roy et al., 2012).

The silver nano-particles synthesized from Dioscorea tuber extracts were found to possess potent synergistic antibacterial activity with combination of antibiotics (Ghosh et al., 2012). The folkloric uses of the studied plants and provided evidence that tuber extracts of D. dumetorum (Kunth) Pax and D. hirtiflora Benth. might indeed be potential sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in Nigeria as reported by Sonibare and Abegunde (2012). Chandra et al. (2013) documented the antimicrobial activity of all extracts of D. deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb. against ten (gram negative and gram positive) bacteria and three fungal strains. Begum and Anbazhakan (2013) described the antimicrobial activity of tuber mucilage extracted from D. esculenta (Lour.) Burkill by in vitro-well diffusion assay against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus, while no activity was observed by the extracts against K. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes.

Many studies have also shown the anti-oxidant potentials of these tuber crops. Araghiniknam et al. (1996) observed the antioxidant activity of Dioscorea species. Hou et al. (2001) documented the antioxidant activity of dioscorin of yam (D. batatas Decne.) tubers. Hou et al. (2002) also reported the antioxidant activity of yam (D. batatas Decne.) tuber mucilage. In the year 2004, Dong et al. (2004) testified steroidal saponins from D. panthaica Prain & Burkill and their cytotoxic activity from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of D. panthaica Prain & Burkill and in the same year, Yu et al. (2004) have also stated the anticancer effects of various fractions extracted from D. bulbifera L. on mice bearing HepA. Further, Chang et al. (2004) have described that Chinese yam (D. alata L.) had antioxidative effects in hyperhomocysteinemia rats. Similarly, Liu et al. (2006) documented the antioxidant activities of selected Dioscorea species using DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assay, and anti-lipid peroxidation test.

In the year 2002, Gao et al. (2002) observed the anti-tumor-promoting effect with ethanol extracts of the tubers of D. bulbifera L. using the neoplastic transformation assay of mouse epidermal JB6 cell lines. Later, Oh and Lim (2008) testified the antioxidant activity of glycoproteins isolated from D. batatas Decne. Theersin and Baker (2009) identified various phenolic compounds in D. hispida Dennst. and analyzed their antioxidant potential while Sonibare and Abegunde (2012) reported the antioxidant activity and the bioactive metabolites of Dioscorea species of Nigeria. The antitumor and antioxidant potential of D. bulbifera L. and D. esculenta (Lour.) Burkill have also been reported (Murugan and Mohan, 2012; Wang et al., 2012). In 2016, Zhang et al. (2016) documented the antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of the mucilage polysaccharide of D. oppositifolia L. while in the same year, Liu et al. (2016) showed the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the extracts from the flesh and peel of Chinese Yam (D. opposite Thunb.).

Bioactive compounds present in Dioscorea sp.

The tuber and other parts of Dioscorea species possess different types of bioactive compounds (Table 4, Figure 3) so that its parts are used against different diseases. These bioactive compounds also reflect the indigenous therapeutic values among the many races of aboriginals of the world (Nayaboga et al., 2014). All these factors make them sound pharmacological agents and good sources for isolation and formulation of new compounds that can fight against different types of diseases. The most important component reported by Martin (1969) was diosgenin, a sapogenin used in the synthesis of steroidal drugs. Diosgenin is the primary active ingredient in Dioscorea species. It is structurally similar to cholesterol. After oral administration, it is metabolized in the liver and eliminated via the bile (Caven and Dvornik, 1979). Estrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of diosgenin have been hypothesized due to its structural similarity to estrogen precursors. Asha and Nair (2005) reported that D. deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb. is the major species exploited in India for diosgenin (Figure 4) production from rhizomes.

Asha and Nair (2005) also reported the maximum diosgenin yield in D. pubera Blume followed by D. spicata, D. hispida Dennst. and D. hamiltonii Hook.f. Ozo et al. (1984) reported phenolic compounds Cyanidin-3-glucoside and the procyanidin dimmers B-1 and B-3 from D. alata L. Hou et al. (2000) reported that dioscorins present in Dioscorea species have potential to exhibit carbonic anahydrase and trypsin inhibition activities. Okunlola and Odeku (2009) reported the compression characteristics and tableting properties of starches of D. dumetorum (Kunth) Pax, D. alata L., D. oppositifolia L., and D. rotundata Poir. Avula et al. (2012) reported 20 different types of steroidal saponins from Dioscorea species using UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Franklin and Cabanillas (1966) reported the production of sapogenin in different Dioscorea species. Martin and Cabanillas (1963) reported a precursor of cortisone and related steroidal drugs from Dioscorea species.

Poornima and Ravishankar (2007) reported the bioactive compounds in D. belophylla (Prain) Voigt ex Haines as saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannin, and phenols. Yoon et al. (2008) reported a bioactive compound, Allantoin, in Dioscorea rhizomes. Bhandari and Kawabata (2005) identified bitter components in Dioscorea as Furanoid norditerpenes cyanogens. Martin (1974) reported the yellow pigments of D. bulbifera L. and that the yellow color is due to the presence of saponifiable of xanthophylls such as Lutein. The phytochemicals studies also revealed that purine derivatives, saponin, starches, and mucilage are the main constituents in Dioscorea tubers, along with allantoin, a purine derivative (Fu et al., 2006). Allantoin is present as a nitrogen storage form in plants or as a product of detoxification process of ammonia in plant tissues (Fujihara and Yamaguchi, 1978). It has been also demonstrated that Dioscorea species contain higher level of allantoin than any other plants (Fu et al., 2006). Therefore, allantoin could be a good standard substance for the quality control of Dioscorea tubers because of their pharmacological importance and abundance in Diosorea species. There have been many reports to determine allantoin in biofluid with HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS (Berthemy et al., 1999; Czauderna and Kowaleczyk, 2000), and a capillary electrophoresis method for measuring allantoin content in Dioscorea tubers. D. bulbifera L. has more allantoin content than other species, which inhibits the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity responsible for its anti-diabetic action. It has anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-dyslipidemic activities. Methanol extract of D. oppositifolia L. has anti-ulcer activity. In 1989, Adetoun and his co-workers reported that bulbils and tubers of D. bulbifera L. contained an alkaloid, dihydrodioscorine. When crystallized in its hydrochloride form and incorporated into potato dextrose agar at a final concentration of 0.1%, it was found to slow down the rate of growth of five plant pathogenic fungi: S. rolfsii, C. lunata, F. moniliforme, M. phaseolina, and B. theobromae.

Conclusion and future research needs

Little research attention, minimal commercialization, and deficient policy frameworks are the major obstacles to harnessing the actual biodiversity potential of SBR. Of the phytodiversity of SBR, tubers and root crops are important so far as their uses are concerned. The wild tubers also act as a “safety net” for local people during their critical time of drought and famine. Among the tuberous wild edible medicines, Dioscorea species are quite common. They are a prime staple food substitute for the majority of rural and local people of SBR. The plant parts are quite useful in treatment of different types of diseases and disorders due the presence of a numbers of bioactive compounds. The ethnomedicinal potential of various plant species under this genus need to be validated and detailed investigations on the composition and pharmacological significance of the medicinal plants under this genus along with the standardization of the formulations used should be undertaken extensively.

The most important identified compound from Dioscorea species is diosgenin, it is presently used in the synthesis of steroidal drugs, however other potential uses of this compounds and related compounds as estrogenic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential need to be studied extensively. Similarly authentication of all the secondary metabolites (alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, tannins and phenols) from this genus should be performed carefully by advanced analytical techniques to validate its quality and for conforming its biological potentials. Further studies are also required to address various issues regarding the composition of the extracts used, explicability of the preclinical experiments and lack of conversion of the preclinical results to clinical effectiveness. Attempt should also be made to conduct serious human trails and to determine the mechanism of action, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and the physiological pathways for various types of bioactive compounds for their potential applications in drug discovery and for curing various life threatening diseases. Studies should also be carried out to utilize the bioactive compounds present in these tubers for formulation of new drugs to fight against pathogenic multidrug resistant microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance. Research on these crops will open up new vistas in the study of biodiversity management for sustainable development, germplasm conservation, pharmacology and many other maiden fields of research in plant science and pharmaceutics.

Author contributions

Draft preparation: SK, JP, GD, and HS; Paper writing: SK, GD, JP; Editing: JP, HS. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.