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The genus Zingiber consists of about 85 species and many of these species are used as food, spices, and medicines. One of the species, Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. is native to Southeast Asia and has been extensively used as traditional medicines and food. The aim of this review was to collect and critically analyze the scientific information about the bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities of Z. montanum with focus on one of the main components, zerumbone (ZER). Various studies have reported the analysis of volatile constituents of the essential oils from Z. montanum. Similarly, many phenylbutanoids, flavonoids and terpenes were also isolated from rhizomes. These essential oils, extracts and compounds showed potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities among others. Zerumbone has been studied widely for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological activities. Future studies should focus on the exploration of various pharmacological activities of other compounds including phenylbutanoids and flavonoids. Bioassay guided isolation may result in the separation of other active components from the extracts. Z. montanum could be a promising source for the development of pharmaceutical products and functional foods.

Foodborne diseases are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in low-income countries with poor sanitation and inadequate healthcare facilities. The foremost bacterial pathogens responsible for global outbreaks include Salmonella species, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Shigella sp., Vibrio, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. Among the viral and parasitic pathogens, norovirus, hepatitis A virus, Giardia lamblia, Trichinella spiralis, Toxoplasma and Entamoeba histolytica are commonly associated with foodborne diseases. The toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens also cause these infections. The currently available therapies for these infections are associated with various limited efficacy, high cost and side-effects. There is an urgent need for effective alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of foodborne diseases. Several plant extracts and phytochemicals were found to be highly effective to control the growth of these pathogens causing foodborne infections in in vitro systems. The present review attempts to provide comprehensive scientific information on major foodborne pathogens and the potential role of phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of these infections. Further detailed studies are necessary to evaluate the activities of these extracts and phytochemicals along with their mechanism of action using in vivo models.

Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. (Zingiberaceae) is known as “Banada” in Bangladesh, and the rhizomes are frequently used in traditional medicines for the treatment of constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, stomach bloating, and as mosquito repellant. In this study, dried rhizomes were extracted successively with 95% and 50% ethanol and the combined extract was then subjected to various column chromatographic methods to isolate one sesquiterpenoid derivative, zerumbone (1) and five kaempferol derivatives, i.e., kaempferol 3-O-methyl ether (2), kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-α-(4”-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-α-(3”-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside (5), and kaempferol 3-O-α-(3”,4”-di-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside (6). All compounds except 1 were isolated for the first time from the title plant.

The hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and twigs of Lindera neesiana (Wall. ex Nees) Kurz (Lauraceae) was subjected to various column chromatographic methods that isolated five kaempferol glycosides: kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-[α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β- glucopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (1); kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)]-β-glucopyranoside (2); kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl(1→2)- α-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (3); kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside (4); and kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (5). The extract showed moderate free radical scavenging activity and potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.