Reprogramming of Diosgenin-Specialized Metabolism in Plants and Its Medicinal Applications

Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin abundantly present in Dioscorea species, is widely recognized for its therapeutic attributes, including anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-thrombotic activities. Its implication in addressing a broad spectrum of genetic and metabolic conditions makes it a valuable botanical pharmaceutical. Diosgenin has also been reported as a precursor for the biosynthesis of corticosteroids and steroidal hormones such as cortisone, pregnenolone, and progesterone, underscoring its significance in advancing medical and pharmaceutical research. The growing demand for diosgenin has emphasized the need for large-scale production; however, its limited natural availability presents substantial challenges. Despite its broad therapeutic potential, the scarcity and variable accumulation of diosgenin across species and environments necessitate deeper insights into its biosynthetic regulation. Addressing these gaps requires an integrated understanding that extends beyond pharmacology to encompass molecular and biotechnological perspectives. In response, this review provides a comprehensive and sequential exploration of the diosgenin biosynthetic pathway, including key intermediates and enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Further, it integrates recent transcriptomic insights from diosgenin-producing species that reveal essential biosynthetic genes, transcription factors, and lineage-specific variations influencing diosgenin production and accumulation. Moreover, it incorporates recent pharmacological findings on diosgenin and provides an in-depth analysis of current advancements in plant tissue culture, metabolic engineering, and elicitation strategies to enhance diosgenin yield, particularly emphasizing the molecular and regulatory effects of elicitors and biotechnological reprogramming on the diosgenin biosynthetic pathway.