Is Ban-aālu (Dioscorea species) A Neglected Tuber? – A Study about its Ethnobotany, Bioactivity and Pharmacological Aspects

******

This is the abstract of an article, is accepted for,  2013, 4(2-3)  in International Journal of Pharmacy and Life Sciences (IJPLS) having I-CV: 3.75 with indexed in  Copernicus, Europe; EBSCO-USA; Research Gate-Germany; CAB-Londan and Ulrich's International Perodical Directory, USA.
Full paper can read after publication.

Is Ban-aālu (Dioscorea species) A Neglected Tuber? – A Study about its Ethnobotany, Bioactivity and Pharmacological aspects

Sanjeet Kumar^1*, A. K. Parida² and P.K Jena¹

1. Department of Botany, Revenshaw University, Cuttack-753003, Odisha, India

2. P.G. Department of Life Science, R.I.E., Bhubaneswar-751022, Odisha, India

ABSTRACT

Dioscorea – a genus represents wild tuber which is the major underground food source among rural and tribal population of Odisha. Twelve species are reported of which all are wild except D. alata which is a cultivated one. All species are unique for their medicinal as well as economic values. D. oppositifolia is a common herbal medicine to cure skin infections whereas D. puber is used as tonic. The genus contains diosgenin which is used as a precursor in the commercial synthesis of sex hormones and birth control (Crabbe, 1979). Study also highlights the importance of Dioscorea species for conservation.

Key words: Dioscorea species, Medicinal values, Biochemical constituents, in vitro culture

 *Corresponding author 

sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

Table -1: Local name and distribution frequency of common Dioscorea spp. in Odisha.

Dioscorea spp.	Local Name	Frequency
1.      D. alata . L.	Khambo aālu	+ + + + +
2.      D. bulbifera L.	Pita Kanda	+ + +
3.      D. glabra Roxb.	Konta aālu	+ +
4.      D. belophylla  Voigt. Ex Haines.	Kunda aālu	+
5.      D. hamiltonii Hook.	Meram tua Sānga	+ + +
6.      D. hispida Dennst.	Banya aālu	+ +
7.      D. oppositifolia L.	Pani aālu	+ + +
8.      D. pentaphylla L.	Mundi aālu	+ +
9.      D. puber Bl. Enum.	Kosa aālu, Kukui Sānga	+ + + +
10.  D. wallichii Hook. f.	Suta aālu	+ +

(+ + + + + :  Most frequent; + + + +  :  Frequent; + + + : Less frequent; ++ : Occasional; + : Rare)

Thank You

*****