dioscorea nipponica rhizome

Dioscorea nipponica rhizome is the underground stem (rhizome) of the perennial climbing herb Dioscorea nipponica Makino, a member of the yam family (Dioscoreaceae), native to East Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is known as 穿山龙 and has been widely used for centuries to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, lumbar pain, bruises, sprains, chronic bronchitis, coughs and asthma[3][5]. Modern pharmacological research has identified its main active constituents as steroidal saponins—including dioscin and protodioscin—which are believed responsible for its anti-inflammatory[3][5][6], analgesic[3], anti-tumor[3][8], immunomodulatory[5], anti-diuretic[3], antitussive[3] and cardiovascular protective effects. The saponins can be metabolized into diosgenin—a precursor for steroid hormone synthesis in pharmaceutical manufacturing—and may also contribute to mood enhancement and metabolic regulation through modulation of inflammation pathways[6]. Extracts from D. nipponica have demonstrated inhibition of tumor cell invasion and migration in preclinical studies by blocking cAMP response element-binding protein activation among other mechanisms[8]. The herb is typically administered orally or topically in decoctions or extracts.

Other names

穿山龙Dioscorea nipponica MakinoRhizoma Dioscoreae NipponicaeChuan Shan Long