African potato corm contains the constituents sterols, sterolins and hypoxoside. The hypoxoside has antibacterial and anti fungal properties and also has been found to contain rooperol that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Rooperol is also the main agent in the African potatos antiviral abilities in the treatment of viral infections, including HIV Aids. African potato also contains b-sitosterol and its glucoside may be responsible for the herbs anti-inflammatory properties.