Właściwości prozdrowotne pochrzynu (słodkie ziemniaki)

Abstract

Dioscorea spp., sometimes called yam, is a genus of around 600 species of tuberous climbers. Since ages it has been used as a food source and in the natural medicine. It contains many fitochemical substances: diterpenoids, glycosides, steroids, saponines and sapogenines. Thanks to this it can be used as a medicine in metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Diosgenin present in the plant stimulates differentiation of fatty cells and eliminate ongoing inflammation. Additionaly, it lowers the amount of triglicerydes and LDL, acting positively on the diabetes related dyslipidemia, lowering the glucose level likewise. Antimicrobial action allows yam to be used against infections, with the possibility of it’s being used against HIV infection. Due to anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of some polysaccharides present in Dioscorea bulbifera it can be helpful in the adjuvant therapy of cervical cancer and in the therapy of either sarcomas or liver cancer. Since years, analgetic and anti-inflammatory effect of Yam has been used in the traditional medicine of Kamerun. Studies performed on mice proved analgetic action of Dioscorea alata against neuropatic pain, as well as pain releated to inflammation, probably by reducing the level of inflammatory mediators. Studies performed on rats revealed positive effect of usage of Dioscorea alata in the condition of low blood estrogen levels, what presented by lowering anxiety levels and action against lowering of the density of bone tissue. It’s administration in postmenopausal women led to increase in blood estron, estradiol and sex hormones binding protein levels. Due to this action it can counteract against adverse changes caused by reduced level of those hormones. Additionaly, surves have shown beneficial influence of yam on the digestive system, by increasing the level of symbiotic bacterial flora and reducing vulnerability to the toxic effect of lipopolysaccharide.