Dioscin

BeschreibungDioscin is extracted from Dioscorea nipponica. Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae is the dry rhizome of this plant. It can be orally used to treat joint pain, arthritis, malaria, and chronic bronchitis. In addition, it can also be used externally to treat sore carbuncle swollen. Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae is commonly used in the northeast region, Shanxi province, and Shandong province of China.

HistoryJapanese scientists firstly reported and analyzed the structure of dioscin isolated from the saponins of Japanese Dioscoreaceae. V . However, the biological activities of dioscin have not attracted the interests of scientists until the late 1990s and the beginning of this century. It is now believed that dioscin may have therapeutic effects on reducing blood lipids and protecting the liver, as well as antivirus, antiinflammatory, and antitumor effects. After the implementation of standardization of traditional Chinese medicine, dioscin as the quality control specification of Dioscorea nipponica Makino and other traditional Chinese medicine has attracted more attentions and researches. In China, dioscin tablets have been used to treat hyperlipidemia in the clinical practice. However, no corresponding drugs are available on the market in other countries. In addition, dioscin is also an important predecessor for synthesizing steroid hormones . Dioscorea nipponica Makino, which is used to extract dioscin, primarily comes from wild plants, whose resources are limited.