POISONOUS PARTS
Tubers and bulblets.3,4
TOXICITY
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Toxic Constituents
Not identified.
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Mechanism
D. bulbifera induced hepatotoxicity may be related to oxidative stress injury as demonstrated in an animal model.5
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Poisoning Features
Burning sensation over mouth, tongue and throat, salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, liver impairment and renal impairment. Coma, dyspnoea and even death in severe cases.3,4,6
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Poisoning Events
Poisoning due to D. bulbifera has been reported in 2 men who took "potato mash" prepared from aerial bulbs of the plant. One of them presented with repeated vomiting whereas the other had serious poisoning symptoms including deranged liver function. Additionally, numerous cases of hepatotoxicity caused by overdose or prolonged intake of the tuber as TCM have been reported.6–8
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Supportive treatment.
IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
Herbaceous twining vines; tubers 4–10 cm thick, with black cork and many fibrous roots. Stems twining to left, bearing bulblets in axils of leaves. Leaves simple, alternate; leaf blades 5–15(–26) × 4–14(–26) cm, broadly cordate, apex caudate-acuminate. Male spikes drooping, 3–10 cm or longer. Female spikes 20–50 cm long. Capsules 1.5–3 cm long. Seeds winged toward base, dark brown.9
MEDICINAL USES
Tubers used in TCM: dissipate binds and goitre, clear heat, cool blood, remove toxin, stanch bleeding. Recommended dose: 3–9 g.2,10–12
LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Diosbulbin B and diosgenin, markers of D. bulbifera, can be detected by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS.13–16
