Potential of Colocasia leaves in human nutrition: Review on nutritional and phytochemical properties

Abstract

Colocasia esculenta leaves possess vital nutritive and nonnutritive components in significant amounts, but are underutilized, and lesser explored. The chemical composition varies significantly depending upon climatic conditions and other agronomical factors of the location of cultivation and variety. Micronutrients, viz. iron (3.4–11.7 mg 100 g–1), copper (0.29–0.8 mg 100 g–1), magnesium (170–752 mg 100 g–1), potassium (0.4–2.4 g 100 g–1), and zinc (0.6–4.2 mg 100 g–1) are present in high amounts. The ratio of sodium to potassium (1:40) in the leaves add specifically to the antihypertensive properties. Preclinical and clinical studies provide evidence of its antidiabetic, antihemorrhagic, neuropharmacological properties, and as a remedy for stomach and liver ailments. Assessment of phytochemical compounds like chlorogenic acid, anthraquinones, cinnamic acid derivatives, and other phenolics validates these biological properties. The major limiting factor of this plant is oxalate that can be suppressed through food processing strategies. Colocasia leaves are promising green leafy vegetables with nutritional and clinical potential. Practical applications Colocasia leaves have demonstrated the ability of antidiabetic, antihypertensive, immunoprotective, neuroprotective, and anticarcinogenic activities. The detailed assessment of phytochemical compounds present in various extracts of the leaves shows the presence of active chemical compounds like anthraquinones, apigenin, catechins, cinnamic acid derivatives, vitexin, and isovitexin which are possibly responsible for the exhibited biological properties. Colocasia leaves are rich sources of micronutrients; however, the presence of oxalates can prohibit proper utilization of these nutrients. Various food processing strategies like soaking, cooking, and so on can significantly reduce the antinutritional content and make these nutrients available for utilization. Documentation of traditional uses and food products from Colocasia leaves show that these leaves have immense potential in the functional food product as well as drug development.

Iron-Enriched Nutritional Supplements for the 2030 Pharmacy Shelves

“…There are other vegetable sources of iron that are currently being investigated, all of them combine their great iron content with good beneficial antioxidant abilities. Amaranth, Colocasia esculenta, and cowpea leaves were recently rediscovered as potential iron-rich and antioxidant foods that can provide great benefits to patients, such as IBD patients, with low iron levels and high inflammatory status in their intestine [179][180][181].…”

Antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of methanol extract of Colocasia gigantea Hook. f. leaves: evidenced from in vivo and in vitro studies along with computer-aided approaches

“…Along with culinary items of taro C. gigantea has been used as medicine to treat constipation and tuberculosis in Hawaii [18]. Genus of Colocasia leaves has demonstrated the potentiality of demonstrating antidiabetic, antihypertensive, immunoprotective, neuroprotective, and anticarcinogenic activities [19]. Colocasia gigantea (Family: Araceae) is a perennial herb of 1.5-3 m tall available in South-East Asia and leaf stalk is consumed as a vegetable [20].…”

Investigation of biological activities ofColocasia giganteaHook.f. leaves and PASS prediction, in silico molecular docking with ADME/T analysis of its isolated bioactive compounds

“…Colocasia is a flowering plant genus under Araceae family native to southeastern Asia and the Indian subcontinent which are widely cultivated and naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions (Wagner, Herbst et al 1990). Genus of Colocasia leaves has demonstrated the potentiality of antidiabetic, antihypertensive, immunoprotective, neuroprotective, and anticarcinogenic activities (Gupta, Kumar et al 2019). Colocasia gigantea (Family: Araceae) is a perennial herb of 1.5-3 m tall available in South-East Asia and leaf stalk is consumed as a vegetable (Ivancic, Roupsard et al 2008).…”

“…This plant is also known as giant elephant ear or indian taro. Phytochemical extraction and structure elucidation of Colocasia leaves yield chemical compounds such as isoorientin, orientin, isoschaftoside, Lut-6-C-Hex-8-C-Pent, vicenin, alphaamyrin, beta-amyrin, mono glycerol stearic acid, penduletin anthraquinones, apigenin, catechins, cinnamic acid derivatives, vitexin, and isovitexin (Liu, Liu et al 2014, Gupta, Kumar et al 2019).…”