The pharmacological importance of Colocasia esculenta Linn: A review

Abstract

Colocasia esculenta (CE) Linn. (Family: Araceae) is an annual herbaceous plant with a long history of usage in traditional medicine in several countries across the world, and is grown for its edible corm as a staple foods throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. In India it is known as Aravi, Alukam, Kesavedantu, Chamadumpa. Corm and leaves of this plant are widely used as vegetables in Indian traditional food system. It was a widely used as a vegetable crop for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Phytochemical analysis showed that the major constituents of Colocasia esculenta leaves are i¬‚avonoids, β-sitosterol, and steroids, The leaves of the plant are reported to possess huge vitamin C content and the root is rich in starch and essential nutrient such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, oxalic acid. The plant also has the property to reduce fever and pain. The pharmacological studies revealed that the plant exerted many pharmacological activities, including central nervous effects, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-lipid Peroxidative activity, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic and antimicrobial effects. This review was designed to highlight the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Colocasia esculenta.