Published Paper Details:

Colocasia esculenta (taro) is a staple food crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions and has been recognized for centuries for its nutritional and ethnomedicinal significance. Traditionally, various parts of the plant--including corms, leaves, and petioles--have been employed in the management of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, respiratory ailments, and skin diseases. Modern phytochemical investigations have revealed that C. esculenta is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, which contribute to its broad pharmacological potential. Experimental studies have demonstrated antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities, making it a promising candidate for novel therapeutic development. Beyond its medicinal relevance, C. esculenta is emerging as an industrially valuable crop, with applications in starch production, biodegradable films, functional foods, and nutraceutical formulations. Its high starch content and physicochemical properties offer opportunities for innovation in the food, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, pharmacological findings, and industrial applications of C. esculenta, critically analyzing current evidence and identifying research gaps. Future perspectives are also discussed, with an emphasis on molecular studies, clinical validation, and biotechnological approaches to maximize its therapeutic and commercial potential.