Taxonomy, distribution and uses of air potato

Abstract

Air potato also called Dioscorea bulbifera is a staple food for various tribal group. It is a monocot, herbaceous, tuber-yielding climber plant belong to the family Dioscoreaceae. Dioscorea bulbifera is explored for their valuable properties throughout the world. The tubers and bulbils are edible as it has starch, low fat, fibers and minerals which provide it nutritional value. Secondary metabolites are saponins, sapogenins, carotenoids, tannins alkaloids and flavonoids. The commercially viable phyto steroidal sapogenin diosgenin are also found in this plant. Due to present of secondary metabolites, diosgenin, cortisones, bafoudiosbulbins, diosbulbins, xanthins, dioscin and dioscrine etc., it is used to treat diabetes, cancer, microbial infections, cardiac problems, digestive abnormalities, syphilis, typhoid, goiter and throat infection etc. The plant extracts also show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antihelminthic and antileprosy activity. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have been done to perform their various healing properties.