This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Dioscorea bulbifera work for thyroid health?
Dioscorea bulbifera contains steroidal saponins and diosgenin, compounds known to influence hormonal pathways. These constituents are thought to modulate thyroid function and reduce inflammation associated with goiter. While traditional use supports these claims, the specific mechanism of action in humans requires further study, with current evidence rated at Level C (preclinical and traditional data).
Does Dioscorea bulbifera interact with medications?
Yes, Dioscorea bulbifera may interact with hormone therapies and thyroid medications due to its steroidal saponin content. Additionally, because of its potential for hepatotoxicity, it should not be combined with drugs known to strain the liver, such as acetaminophen or statins. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage for Dioscorea bulbifera?
The typical adult dosage for Dioscorea bulbifera extract ranges from 500mg to 2g daily. It is critical to distinguish between processed extracts and raw bulbils; raw consumption is toxic and can cause severe liver damage. Dosage should be strictly followed as per product labeling or professional herbalist guidance to avoid toxicity.
Is Dioscorea bulbifera safe during pregnancy?
No, Dioscorea bulbifera is unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains diosbulbin and steroidal saponins that may cause uterine stimulation or fetal harm. Furthermore, the potential for hepatotoxicity poses a significant risk to both the mother and the developing fetus. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should strictly avoid this herb.
What are the side effects of taking Dioscorea bulbifera?
The most serious side effect is hepatotoxicity (liver damage), which is specifically linked to consuming raw or improperly processed bulbils. Other common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress. Individuals with liver disease are at higher risk and should avoid this herb entirely. Proper processing reduces but does not eliminate all risks.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
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
5.PMID: 39778784 (2025) — Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Attenuates Dioscorea bulbifera L.-induced liver injury by regulating the FXR/Nrf2-BAs-related proteins and intestinal microbiota.
Government sources
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.
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