Chemical Diversity, Bioactivity Potential, and Toxicity Risks of Dioscorea bulbifera and Xanthosoma robustum Leaves: A Comparative GC–MS Study

Leaves of Dioscorea bulbifera and Xanthosoma robustum are widely used in
traditional medicine for the management of various health conditions. Despite
their ethnomedicinal relevance, there is limited comparative information on their
phytochemical composition and associated safety profiles. Comprehensive
chemical profiling is necessary to validate their therapeutic claims, identify
bioactive constituents, and assess potential toxicological risks linked to
indiscriminate or excessive consumption. Gas chromatography–mass
spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and compare phytochemical
constituents present in the leaf extracts of D. bulbifera and X. robustum. The
detected compounds were classified based on chemical structure and reported
biological activities, with emphasis on shared constituents and compounds with
known or suspected toxic effects. A total of 34 compounds were identified in D.
bulbifera leaves, predominantly comprising low-molecular-weight aromatic
hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, cycloalkanes, and furan derivatives, which
are associated with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. In contrast, X.
robustum contained 62 compounds, including long-chain alcohols, esters,
nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, and aromatic metabolites,
suggesting possible roles in enzyme modulation, lipophilicity, and anticancer
related activities. The presence of shared phytochemicals indicates overlapping
pharmacological potential. However, potentially harmful compounds such as
benzene, toluene, and trichloroacetic acid derivatives were also detected. The
study supports the traditional medicinal use of both plants while highlighting
significant phytochemical diversity and potential safety concerns. The detection
of toxic constituents underscores the need for proper processing, dosage
regulation, and detoxification strategies to ensure safe therapeutic application.