Dioscorea dumetorum
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Dioscorea dumetorum Common Names: Bitter Yam, Cluster Yam, Trifoliate Yam,
Three-Leaved Yam, Wild Yellow Yam Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Order: Dioscoreales Family: Dioscoreaceae Genus: Dioscorea Species: D. dumetorum Authority: (Kunth) Pax Synonyms: Dioscorea buchholziana Engl., Dioscorea triphylla G.W.Schimp. ex A.Rich., Dioscorea triphylla Schimp. ex Kunth, Dioscorea triphylla var. abyssinica R.Knuth, Dioscorea triphylla var. dumetorum (Kunth) R.Knuth, Dioscorea triphylla var. rotundata R.Knuth, Dioscorea triphylla var. tomentosa Rendle, Helmia dumetorum Kunth Morphological Description Dioscorea dumetorum is a perennial climbing vine in the Dioscoreaceae family,
characterized by spiny, twining stems that grow up to 10 m long from a shallow
tuberous rootstock: · Stem: Annual, twining leftwards, 5–10 m long, pubescent, with
ridged prickles, scrambling over vegetation (Fern, 2024). · Leaves: Alternate, trifoliolate, with petioles up to 20 cm long;
leaflets obovoid, 5–21 cm long, acutely acuminate, 3–7 veined (Wilkin, 1999). · Flowers: Dioecious; male flowers brown, in paniculate inflorescences
with dense spikelets; female flowers in pendulous spikes, 5–10 cm long (Wilkin,
1999). · Tubers: Clustered, deeply lobed, cylindrical, up to 30 cm long,
2.5–7 cm wide, with rough, brownish skin (Burkill, 1985). · Fruit/Seeds: Capsules 3–5 cm long, pubescent; seeds winged, oblong, 6–20
mm long (Wilkin, 1999). Distribution and Habitat Dioscorea dumetorum is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa: · Range: Senegal to Ethiopia, south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique;
cultivated in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Gabon (Fern, 2024). · Habitat: Forest margins, riverbanks, savannas, termite mounds;
0–2,000 m altitude, 25–32°C, 1,000–1,700 mm rainfall (Burkill, 1985). Ethnopharmacology Dioscorea dumetorum, commonly known as bitter yam or trifoliate yam, is a species of
yam widely found in West and Central Africa. It is valued in traditional
medicine for its rich content of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids,
flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and phenolics, which contribute to its numerous
medicinal properties.Traditionally, Dioscorea dumetorum is used to manage
conditions like diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, and pain. Scientific
studies have supported its antidiabetic potential, showing that extracts from
the yam can significantly reduce blood glucose levels, possibly by improving
insulin sensitivity. It also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
activities, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation-related
diseases. Additionally, it has shown antimicrobial effects against a variety of
bacterial and fungal strains. In folk medicine, it is used to treat fevers,
ulcers, wounds, and sometimes mental health conditions, although the neurotoxic
effects of certain raw forms of the tuber (due to alkaloids) mean it must be
properly processed before consumption.Despite its therapeutic potential, more
clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for medicinal
use in humans. · Anti-inflammatory: Tuber paste are used to treats sores;
Several animal studies have reported the
anti-inflammatory activity of Dioscorea species. Olayemi and Ajaiyeoba
investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of defatted methanol extract of D.
esculenta tuber on Wistar rats. Their finding showed a significant
dose-dependent inhibition of the carrageenan at doses of 100 mg/kg and 150
mg/kg which was comparable to that of 150 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid (reference
standard) (Olayemi & Ajaiyeoba, 2007). · Analgesic: Root decoction is used to relieves pain; extract (100 mg/kg)
reduced writhing in mice by 40% (Mbiantcha et al., 2011). · Antioxidant: Possesses compounds with antioxidant activity. · Antidiabetic: Used in Cameroon; study shows that Dioscorea batatas and Its
Active Constituent, Allantoin have antidiabetic effects by modulating
antioxidant activities, lipid profiles and by promoting the release of GLP-1,
thereby improving the function of β-cells maintaining normal insulin and
glucose levels.(Go, et al., 2015). · Neuroprotective: It is used to treat epilepsy ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Wild tubers contain dihydrodioscorine and
dioscorine (up to 0.5% dry weight), causing respiratory paralysis; non-toxic
cultivars have lower alkaloid levels ( Burkill, 1985). Additional Uses · Culinary: Non-toxic tubers boiled or ground into flour for porridge,
bread, or ugali after detoxification (Fern, 2024). · Famine Food: Planted as a backup crop in West Africa; high in starch (28
g/100 g) and vitamin C (12 mg/100 g) (Freedman, 2017). · Agricultural: Spiny stems deter pests in yam fields (Burkill, 1985). References
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