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This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Dioscorea bulbifera, commonly known as air potato, is a perennial climber used in traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes, though it is associated with significant hepatotoxicity [PMID:38265372, PMID:32757959].
Background
Dioscorea bulbifera (Family: Dioscoreaceae) is an invasive vine native to Asia and Africa and found in the southeastern United States [PMID:37278905, PMID:39283965]. It is a perennial climber present in tropical and subtropical regions [PMID:38265372].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in China, West Africa, and India to treat goiters, breast lumps, tumors, throat obstruction, carbuncles, and inflammatory swellings [PMID:32757959, PMID:39283965, PMID:41655723]. It is also used for wound care in Thailand [PMID:38698382] and as a nutritive functional food [PMID:38265372].
Active compounds
Bioactive constituents include steroidal saponins (dioscorine, dioscin, diosgenin), furanoditerpenoids (diosbulbin B, 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate, diosbulbin F, diosbulbin N acetate, epi-diosbulbin B), and others such as emodin, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, myricetin, and flavanthrinin [PMID:39283965, PMID:32757959, PMID:28952257, PMID:37496114, PMID:40759849, PMID:38698382].
Mechanism of action
Hepatotoxicity is mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes (primarily the 3A subfamily) which oxidize the furan ring of furanoditerpenoids into cis-enedial intermediates that react with proteins and DNA [PMID:32757959, PMID:40627913]. Other mechanisms include the inhibition of NO production by certain phenanthrenes [PMID:37496114] and the potential for a mannose-binding lectin to bind to HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 and inhibit reverse transcriptase [PMID:28472687].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CHepatotoxicity
More than 100 cases of liver injury have been reported in China due to DBL usage [PMID:32757959].
Evidence DMyocardial Ischemic Reperfusion Injury
Hydroalcoholic extract (150 mg/kg) in rats reduced infarct size and improved ventricular function [PMID:21776477]. (Note: This study is subject to an Expression of Concern [PMID:36018292]).
Evidence AType 2 Diabetes
Bitter yam (included in a mixed food plant analysis) was associated with a decrease in blood glucose [PMID:36432398].
Evidence DViral Infections
Dioscin showed in vitro inhibitory effects against adenovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) [PMID:23238077].
Evidence DSkin-associated bacteria
Extracts and the component flavanthrinin demonstrated antibacterial activity [PMID:38698382].
Safety & adverse effects
DBL can cause severe hepatotoxicity [PMID:32757959]. Toxic components such as diosbulbin B and 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate trigger apoptosis in hepatocytes via metabolic activation, GSH depletion, and ROS production [PMID:32757959, PMID:40627913].
Drug interactions
Ketoconazole, vitamin C, and glutathione ethyl ester have been shown to reduce the apoptotic ratio induced by 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate in primary hepatocytes [PMID:40627913].
Evidence summary
Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (mice/rats), and review articles. There is strong evidence of hepatotoxicity (C/D), while therapeutic claims for diabetes are supported by a meta-analysis of observational studies (A).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 32757959 (2020) — Dioscorea bulbifera L.-induced hepatotoxicity and involvement of metabolic activation of furanoterpenoids. · Drug metabolism reviews
2.PMID: 38265372 (2024) — Biological Activities and Nanoparticle Synthesis of Dioscorea bulbifera and its Mechanistic Action - An Extensive Review. · Pharmaceutical nanotechnology
3.PMID: 37278905 (2023) — Attraction of the Air Potato Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris Cheni, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to leaf Volatiles of the Air Potato, Dioscorea bulbifera. · Journal of chemical ecology
4.PMID: 36018292 (2022) — Expression of concern: Protective role of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) of yam family in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. · Food & function
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
— Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Attenuates Dioscorea bulbifera L.-induced liver injury by regulating the FXR/Nrf2-BAs-related proteins and intestinal microbiota.
· Journal of ethnopharmacology
6.PMID: 39283965 (2025) — Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity of Dioscorea bulbifera: A Comprehensive Review. · Chemistry & biodiversity
7.PMID: 38698382 (2024) — Antibacterial activity of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. extract and its active component flavanthrinin against skin-associated bacteria. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
8.PMID: 40627913 (2025) — 8-Epidiosbulbin E acetate triggers apoptosis via metabolic activation-mediated crosstalk between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
9.PMID: 21776477 (2010) — Protective role of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) of yam family in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. · Food & function
10.PMID: 32365518 (2020) — Structure-Activity-Relationship and Mechanistic Insights for Anti-HIV Natural Products. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
11.PMID: 23238077 (2013) — Dioscin's antiviral effect in vitro. · Virus research
12.PMID: 40289992 (2025) — Aerial Yam Bulbils Protect Against APAP-Induced Hepatotoxicity by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Through Nrf2 Activation. · Nutrients
13.PMID: 35609388 (2022) — Development of a mechanism-based biomarker for Dioscorea bulbifera L. exposure and hepatotoxicity in rats. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
14.PMID: 28952257 (2017) — [Chemical constituents from fresh tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
15.PMID: 41655723 (2026) — The double-edged sword of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: Recent advances in its pharmacological benefits and hepatotoxicity, and the quest for detoxification strategies. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
16.PMID: 36432398 (2022) — Chitosan Nanogel with Mixed Food Plants and Its Relation to Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic and Meta-Analysis Review of Observational Studies. · Nutrients
17.PMID: 39380211 (2024) — Puerarin improves Dioscorea bulbifera L.-induced liver injury by regulating drug transporters and the Nrf2/NF-κB/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
18.PMID: 40759849 (2025) — A systems biology approach reveals dual neurotherapeutic mechanisms of Dioscorea bulbifera in Alzheimer's disease via estrogen signaling and cholinergic modulation. · Inflammopharmacology
19.PMID: 37496114 (2024) — New norclerodane diterpenoids from bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. · Natural product research
20.PMID: 28472687 (2017) — Purification, characterization and biological significance of mannose binding lectin from Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils. · International journal of biological macromolecules