Colocasia Esculenta as a Potential Plant-Based Medicine: A Review on Its Bioactive Constituents and Pharmacological Activities

Reza Pertiwi,1,2,* Gofarana Wilar,3,* Sri Adi Sumiwi,3,* Jutti Levita3,* 1Doctoral Program in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia; 2Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia; 3Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jutti Levita, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang km 21, Sumedang, 45363, Indonesia, Tel +6222-84288888 Ext 3510, Email [email protected]: Colocasia esculenta (L.) Scott, commonly known as taro, is a tuberous plant widely cultivated and utilized as a food source and traditional medicine in various cultures worldwide. Its ethnopharmacological significance, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, has increased scientific interest in exploring its therapeutic potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse characteristics of C. esculenta, emphasizing its bioactive constituents and reported pharmacological activities. To gather relevant information, articles were retrieved from the PubMed database using the keyword “Colocasia esculenta”, with filters applied to full-text articles published between 2015 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised studies reporting pharmacological, toxicological, or phytochemical findings, while unrelated agricultural studies were excluded. The evidence suggests that C. esculenta exhibits multiple pharmacological activities across various experimental models. In vitro studies have shown this plant has anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-oxidant, and antidiabetic properties. Animal models have demonstrated their anticancer, antidiarrheal, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, diuretic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant properties. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids contribute to the therapeutic effects of C. esculenta. Limited human investigations, including studies using the proximity extension assay (PEA) protocol, suggest potential translational applications, although clinical evidence remains scarce. In conclusion, C. esculenta demonstrates promising pharmacological activities supported by preclinical evidence, yet significant research gaps persist, particularly regarding varietal differences, standardized dosages, safety profiles, and rigorous clinical validation. Future studies should focus on comparative phytochemical analyses, toxicological evaluations, and well-designed clinical trials to establish its efficacy and safety as a plant-based therapeutic agent.Keywords: Colocasia esculenta, secondary metabolite, pharmacological activity, flavonoid, phenolic