Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Benefits of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Corms, an Underexploited Tuber Crop

Abstract

Taro corms contain valuable bioactive molecules effective against cancer and cancer-related risk factors, such as carcinogens and biological agents, several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative stress and inflammation, while controlling metabolic dysfunctions and boosting the immunological response. Such broad effects are achieved by the taro health-influencing compounds displaying antitumoral, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Taro bioactivities are attributed to the combination of tarin, taro-4-I polysaccharide, taro polysaccharides 1 and 2 (TPS-1 and TPS-2), A-1/B-2 α-amylase inhibitors, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDGs), polyphenols, and nonphenolic antioxidants. Most of these compounds have been purified and successfully challenged in vitro and in vivo, proving their involvement in the aforementioned activities. Although these health-promoting effects have been recognized since ancient times, as well as other valuable features of taro for food profit, such as hypo-allergenicity, gluten-free, and carbohydrates with medium-glycemic index, taro crop remains underexploited. The popularization of taro intake should be considered a dietary intervention strategy to be applied to improve the overall health status of the organism and as supportive therapy to manage tumorigenesis.

A Comprehensive Review on the Formation of Carcinogens from Food Products with Respect to Different Cooking Methods

“…It can be found within the range of 1 to 1000ppm and can cause harmful adverse effects on the consumers. This data was supported by National Toxicology Program (NTP) and confirmed the presence of cancer-causing carcinogen in these food stuffs [74,75]. The different types of malignancy associated with particular carcinogens are enlisted in Fig.…”

Taro Lectin Can Act as a Cytokine-Mimetic Compound, Stimulating Myeloid and T Lymphocyte Lineages and Protecting Progenitors in Murine Bone Marrow

“…Taro corm is a tubercle traditionally consumed in Asia, West African countries, the USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey, and Central and South America countries, where it is considered and used as a food with medicinal effects to treat several physiopathological conditions through immune response stimulation to restore health status. Many studies have proven that taro corms contain several bioactive molecules, corroborating popular knowledge and its applied medicinal purposes [1,5,40,41]. Tarin is included among these bioactive molecules and has been extensively studied for over 15 years.…”

“…Taro corms are a significant source of carbohydrates, followed by dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins such as folates, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin A, C, E, and K, and minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc [4]. In addition to their nutritional value, taro corms are rich in bioactive compounds such as tarin, taro-4-I polysaccharide, TPS1/TPS2 polysaccharides, A-1/B-2 α-amylase inhibitors, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDGs), polyphenols, and nonphenolic antioxidants that are responsible for antitumoral, anti-metastatic, anti-mutagenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities, supporting their ancient 2 of 14 application for medicinal purposes by indigenous people and, thus considered a functional food [1,5].…”

Chemical features of rejected taro tuber flour (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) and its effect on productive performance in post-weaning pigs

“…The bioactive compounds of taro have antitumor, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities. Ribeiro et al (2021) reported that the bioactivity of taro tuber is attributed to the combination of tarin, taro polysaccharide-4-I, taro polysaccharides 1 and 2 (TPS-1 and TPS-2), A-1/B-2 α-amylase inhibitors, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDGs), polyphenols and non-phenolic antioxidants and provide anticancer and immunomodulatory benefits.…”