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Review Article

Himalayan Dioscorea Villosa: A Comprehensive Analysis

Lekh Raj1* and Himanshi1*
Published 30-06-2024

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22573/spg.ijals.024.s122000120

AUTHOR AFFILIATION

1School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh-173229, India

ABSTRACT

Himalayan Dioscorea villosa, a species of wild yam indigenous to the Himalayan region, has garnered attention for its diverse phytochemical composition and traditional medicinal uses. This comprehensive analysis explores the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and ethnobotanical aspects of Himalayan Dioscorea villosa. The review synthesizes existing literature to provide insights into its taxonomical classification, morphological characteristics, and distribution patterns in the Himalayan ecosystem. It delves into the phytochemical profile of Dioscorea villosa, highlighting the presence of bioactive compounds such as diosgenin, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. Moreover, the review examines the traditional uses of Himalayan Dioscorea villosa in folk medicine, shedding light on its purported therapeutic properties in treating various ailments. Furthermore, this analysis critically evaluates pharmacological studies elucidating the anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and hormone-modulating activities of Dioscorea villosa extracts and isolated compounds. The pharmacokinetics and toxicological aspects of Himalayan Dioscorea villosa are also discussed, emphasizing the need for further research to ascertain its safety profile and dosage recommendations. Additionally, cultivation practices and conservation strategies for sustaining wild yam populations in the Himalayan region are addressed.

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KEYWORDS

Wild yam, Phytochemistry, Traditional medicine, Pharmacological activities, Pharmacokinetics.
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ARTICLE HISTORY

Received: 02 Mar 2024/ Revised: 18 Apr 2024/ Accepted: 28 May 2024/ Published: 30 June 2024

COPYRIGHT

© 2024 Raj et al., This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Raj, L., & Himanshi. (2024). Himalayan Dioscorea villosa: A Comprehensive Analysis. Int J Agric Life Sci, 10(12), 434-439. doi: 10.22573/spg.ijals.024.s122000120


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