Dioscorea Cayenensis (Dioscorea cayenensis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Dioscorea cayenensis work in the body?

Dioscorea cayenensis works primarily through its active compounds, specifically diosgenin and steroidal saponins. Diosgenin acts as a precursor for steroid hormones and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by modulating inflammatory pathways in the body. The steroidal saponins contribute to antispasmodic effects, helping to relax muscle spasms, while polyphenols provide antioxidant activity. These combined mechanisms support its traditional use for rheumatism and metabolic conditions (Evidence level: C).

Does Dioscorea cayenensis interact with any medications?

Due to the presence of diosgenin, a steroidal compound, Dioscorea cayenensis may interact with hormone therapies, including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. Its potential effects on blood sugar metabolism could also interfere with antidiabetic medications. Individuals taking hormonal drugs or medication for diabetes should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb to avoid adverse interactions (Evidence level: C).

Is Dioscorea cayenensis safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Dioscorea cayenensis is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains diosgenin, which can exert hormonal effects and may stimulate uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor. Traditional contraindications explicitly advise against use while pregnant. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid this herb in medicinal doses to ensure safety.

What is the recommended dosage for Dioscorea cayenensis?

As a food staple, Dioscorea cayenensis is consumed cooked in variable amounts. For medicinal purposes, the typical adult dosage is 500mg to 1g of standardized extract daily. It is critical to avoid raw consumption, as the raw tuber may contain toxic compounds that cause digestive upset. Always follow specific product instructions or consult a qualified herbalist for personalized dosing (Evidence level: Traditional).

What are the side effects of Dioscorea cayenensis?

Reported side effects include digestive upset when taken internally and skin irritation when applied topically. Consuming the raw tuber is contraindicated and can cause more severe gastrointestinal distress due to naturally occurring toxins. Allergic reactions are possible in sensitive individuals. Proper processing, such as cooking or standard extraction, typically mitigates these risks, but users should discontinue use if adverse symptoms occur (Evidence level: Traditional).

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Dioscorea cayenensis, known as yellow yam, is a cultivated tuberous root vegetable primarily grown in the humid and sub-humid tropics of West Africa and Brazil [PMID:24782090, PMID:24535869].

Contexte

Dioscorea cayenensis is a species of yam that forms a complex with Dioscorea rotundata [PMID:18464876, PMID:24605894]. It is a major staple food crop in West Africa and is commercially cultivated in Brazil [PMID:24457074, PMID:24535869].

Usages traditionnels

It is used as a staple food crop and is highly prized in regions such as Côte d'Ivoire [PMID:41472256, PMID:39583841].

Composés actifs

The rhizomes contain steroid saponins, including dioscin, diosgenin derivatives, and progenin III palmitate and linoleate [PMID:14765305, PMID:23678801]. It also contains the major tuber storage protein dioscorin [PMID:7632909].

Mécanisme d'action

Certain steroid saponins from D. cayenensis, specifically dioscin, exhibit antifungal activity against human pathogenic yeasts such as Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis [PMID:14765305, PMID:155167 la].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DDiabetic nephropathy (rat model)

Supplementation with D. cayenensis extract raised the activity of malic enzyme towards normal levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [PMID:11517735]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Raw tubers contain antinutrients, although processing significantly reduces these levels [PMID:28280763, PMID:28867088].

Synthèse des preuves

The available evidence is primarily focused on the botanical, genomic, and nutritional composition of the plant, with limited preclinical animal data and in vitro antifungal studies.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 30020143 (2018) — Near-infrared spectroscopy in vegetables and humans: An observational study. · European journal of anaesthesiology
2.PMID: 28280763 (2017) — Nutrient and antinutrient composition of yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) products. · Data in brief
3.PMID: 18464876 (1997) — Molecular marker based taxonomy and phylogeny of Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata - D. cayenensis). · Genome
4.PMID: 28867088 (2018) — Effects of processing methods on nutrient and antinutrient composition of yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) products. · Food chemistry
5.PMID: 24605894 (2014) — The genome of African yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata complex) hosts endogenous sequences from four distinct Badnavirus species. · Molecular plant pathology

Dioscorea Cayenensis

Sources et citations

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