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Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) are critical pathogens causing severe crop production losses of solanaceous plants. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiviral effects of extracts of Alpinia plants on ToMV and TMV infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. The aqueous extracts of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt and R.M. Smith and Alpinia kumatake, which grow widely in subtropical and tropical regions including East Asia, were effective in reducing ToMV infection when plants were treated prior to virus inoculation. We also found that the extracts of A. zerumbet isolated from Okinawa (Japan), locally referred to as shima-gettou, strongly inhibited ToMV and TMV infection. To obtain an active fraction, the aqueous extract of A. zerumbet isolate OG1 was separated by ethyl acetate, and the antiviral active compound was found to be present in the water layer. Based on our results, the extract of Alpinia plants has potential as an antiviral reagent for practical application in solanaceous crop production.

Essential oils (EOs) are considered a new class of ecological products aimed at the control of insects for industrial and domestic use; however, there still is a lack of studies involving the control of fleas. Ctenocephalides felis felis, the most observed parasite in dogs and cats, is associated with several diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity, the establishment of LC50 and toxicity of EOs from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm, Cinnamomum spp., Laurus nobilis L., Mentha spicata L., Ocimum gratissimum L. and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle against immature stages and adults of C. felis felis. Bioassay results suggest that the method of evaluation was able to perform a pre-screening of the activity of several EOs, including the discriminatory evaluation of flea stages by their LC50. Ocimum gratissimum EO was the most effective in the in vitro assays against all flea stages, presenting adulticide (LC50 = 5.85 μg cm−2), ovicidal (LC50 = 1.79 μg cm−2) and larvicidal (LC50 = 1.21 μg cm−2) mortality at low doses. It also presented an excellent profile in a toxicological eukaryotic model. These findings may support studies involving the development of non-toxic products for the control of fleas in dogs and cats.

Alpinia zerumbet L. e uma planta medicinal utilizada na maioria dos estados do nordeste brasileiro. Ela vem sendo objeto de estudo a muitos anos devido ao seu vasto potencial terapeutico, avancando bastante na ultima decada, quando teve aspectos aprofundados das suas ja conhecidas atividades biologicas, como antineoplasica, antimicrobiana e anti-inflamatoria, e indicacao de novas, como ansiolitica e antidepressiva. Os resultados expostos nessa revisao reforcam que A. zerumbet e uma fonte rica em compostos bioativos passiveis de utilizacao para atividades variadas.

Background/Aims: Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith has been used as a flavor additive in food and a traditional medicine for centuries, especially in Guizhou Province, China, and it prolongs people’s lives with multiple beneficial effects. Thus, one of the aims of this review was to expound the chemical constituents of this plant, especially its fruits. Since cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, pose a health threat to humans, another aim was to expound the possible mechanisms of its potential use as an herbal medication for atherosclerosis. Methods: In this study, 10 reports are cited to expound the potential bioactive compounds. Moreover, 33 reports explain the antihypertensive and antiatherosclerotic effects of the plant by ameliorating inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, increasing vasodilation, improving hyperlipidemia, downgrading the glucose status, and working as an antioxidant. Results: A. zerumbetis rich in terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, polyphenolics, and sterols. Pharmacological experiments showed that A. zerumbet has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the NF-κB signaling pathway and can ameliorate oxidative stress in the NOS-NO signaling pathway. Moreover, A. zerumbet demonstrates antihypertensive effects by accelerating vasorelaxant response and increasing 3T3-L1 intracellular cAMP, which has promising antiobesity properties, as well as hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic complication effects. Conclusions: A. zerumbet has potential functions and applications in the prevention of atherosclerosis, but further studies are required before clinical trials.

SUMMARY Introduction: This study evaluated the chemical characterization, larvicidal activity and molluscicidal activity in front of the snail transmitting schistosomes (Biomphalaria glabrata) of the essential oils of Alpinia zerumbet and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. The essential oils (EOs) were extracted by hydrodistillation, with chemical characterization through Gas Chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The physical-chemical parameters were determined according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The toxicity test followed the bioassay with Artemia salina Leach, the EOs approved in this assay followed to evaluate their biological properties. Methodology: For molluscicidal activity, the methodology recommended by the WHO was performed, and the LC50 of the EOs was performed for their action in the face of the snail obtained by the Reed&Muench method. Both EOs showed low toxicity, and thus were evaluated for the biological properties larvicidal and molluscicidal. Alpinia zerumbet EO showed molluscicidal activity with LC50 of40.63 mg-L-1 and Cymbopogon citratus EO 33.94 mg-L-1. Results: Both EOs showed larvicidal and molluscicidal potentials against the organisms tested, showing satisfactory results for their action. The results indicate that the evaluated EOs are composed of substances that promote and encourage their application due to their potential for molluscicidal and larvicidal biological activity. RESUMEN Introducción: Este estudio evaluó la caracterización química, la actividad larvicida y la actividad molusquicida frente al caracol que transmite esquistosomas (Biomphalaria glabrata) de los aceites esenciales de Alpinia zerumbet y Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. Los aceites esenciales (AE) fueron extraídos por hidrodestilación, con caracterización química a través de cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Los parámetros físico-químicos se determinaron de acuerdo con la Farmacopea Brasileña. La prueba de toxicidad siguió al bioensayo con Artemia salina Leach, los AE probados en este ensayo se evaluaron a continuación en sus propiedades biológicas. Metodología: Para la actividad molusquicida se empleó la metodología recomendada por la OMS, y la LC50 de las AE se realizó para su acción frente al caracol obtenido por el método Reed&Muench. Ambos AE mostraron baja toxicidad, y por lo tanto fueron evaluados para las propiedades biológicas larvicidas y molusquicidas. Alpinia zerumbet AE mostró actividad molusquicida con LC50 de 40,63 mg-L'1 y Cymbopogon citratus EO 33,94 mg-L-1. Resultados: Ambos AE mostraron potenciales larvicidas y molusquicidas contra los organismos probados, mostrando resultados satisfactorios para su acción. Los resultados indican que los AE evaluados están compuestos de sustancias que promueven y fomentan su aplicación debido a su potencial para la actividad biológica molusquicida y larvicida. RESUMO Introdução: Este estudo avaliou a caracterização química, atividade larvicida e ativi-dade moluscicida contra o caramujo transmissor de esquistossomos (Biomphalaria glabrata) dos óleos essenciais de Alpinia zerumbet e Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. Os óleos essenciais (AE) foram extraídos por hidrodestilação, com caracterização química por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). Os parâmetros físico-químicos foram determinados de acordo com a Farmacopéia Brasileira. O teste de toxicidade seguiu o bioensaio com Artemia salina Leach, os EA testados neste teste foram então avaliados quanto às suas propriedades biológicas. Metodologia: Para a atividade moluscicida, foi utilizada a metodologia recomendada pela OMS, e o LC50 do EA foi realizado para sua ação contra o caramujo obtido pelo método de Reed & Muench. Ambos os AE apresentaram baixa toxicidade e, portanto, foram avaliados quanto às propriedades biológicas larvicidas e moluscicidas. Alpinia zerumbet AE apresentou atividade moluscicida com CL50 de 40,63 mg-L-1 e Cymbopogon citratus EO 33,94 mg-L-1. Resultados: Ambos os AE apresentaram potencial larvicida e moluscicida contra os organismos testados, apresentando resultados satisfatórios para sua ação. Os resultados indicam que os AE avaliados são compostos por substâncias que promovem e estimulam sua aplicação devido ao seu potencial de atividade biológica moluscicida e larvicida.

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) have various bioactivities, such as being anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant. Consequently, they have been vigorously studied for the development of new natural bioactive compounds. Recently, AzPAC was isolated from the medicinal plant Alpinia zerumbet, and it was found to inhibit the infection of animal viruses, influenza A viruses (IAVs), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The virucidal activity of AzPAC means that it can interact directly with viral particles. However, few studies have investigated the preventive mechanism utilized by AzPAC on influenza virus replication. In this study, the composition of AzPAC and the affinity between AzPAC and IAVs was investigated in detail. We found that AzPAC was composed of an epicatechin monomer, which was linked by inter-flavan bonds between the C4 and C8 positions (B2-type) and the C4 and C6 positions (B5-type) in the terminal units of the PAC. A quenching assay indicated that AzPAC interacted with IAV membrane proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Additionally, circular dichroism analysis indicated that AzPAC affected the change in the secondary structure rate of the viral membrane proteins. AzPAC was able to impair the infective process of IAVs via direct interaction with their viral membrane proteins. These results indicate that A. zerumbet is an invaluable bioresource for the development of preventive drugs against IAV infection.

Container crop production has become increasingly popular over the last 50 years. A major component of container or potting media is peat. Peatlands are a natural carbon sink, and peat is a nonrenewable natural resource. Peat harvesting has become an important environmental issue. There is a growing effort to explore alternative organic materials to completely or partially replace peat as a medium component. Biochar is a carbon-rich product that has gained increasing interest as a component of growing media. In the present study, biochar was produced from rice straw. Peat/perlite/biochar (PPB, 40/30/30 v/v) and peat/perlite/biochar/vermicompost (PPBC, 30/30/35/5 v/v) were evaluated relative to a basal or control medium of peat/perlite (PP, 70:30 v/v). Alpinia (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata Dwarf’) was used as a test plant. Amending biochar and biochar–compost mix increased the pH of the growing media. Hydrophysical properties including container capacity, bulk density, air space and total porosity were all within or near the standard ranges for soilless growing media. Chlorophyll a and b contents of A. zerumbet plants grown in PPB medium were reduced by more than 20% and 28%, respectively, compared to those grown in PP or PPBC media. The net photosynthetic rate of PPB-grown plants was more than 28% lower than those grown in PP and PPBC media. As a result, shoot and root dry weights of plants produced in PPB medium were more than 42% and 22% less, respectively, than those grown in PP and PPBC media. Although visual quality of PPB-grown plants was lower, they still exhibited marketable quality, which was largely due to the fact that their side shoots, leaf numbers, leaf areas, leaf thickness, and shoot diameters were comparable to those produced in PP and PPBC media. The present study showed that in a peat/perlite basal medium, substitution of peat by biochar derived from rice straw at 30% affected the growth of A. zerumbet plants, mainly in dry matter accumulation, but the plants were still marketable. On the other hand, plants grown in the same basal medium with peat replaced by the biochar at 35% plus an amendment of compost at 5% were comparable to those grown in the control medium. As the value of ornamental plants depends on their aesthetic appearance, a potting medium comprised of peat/perlite/biochar/vermicompost at 30/30/35/5 by volume is recommended for the production of A. zerumbet plants. The substitution of peat at 35% suggests that peat use can be reduced in the formulation of potting media, thus contributing to the conservation of peatlands.

A polyphenol-rich extract with an expressive vasodilator effect was obtained from fresh leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (AZ), a medicinal plant. The vasodilator effects of AZ from different extraction conditions were studied in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed, and total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined for all samples. UHPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS analysis established the chemical composition of AZ extracts, and a molecular network from GNPS (Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking) generated a list of putative compounds. Briefly, results show a 50% hydroethanolic extract from fresh leaves (AZE4) as the best extraction condition, presenting the greatest vasodilator effect (ED50 = 7.1 ± 1.7 µg) and TPC (16.30 mg GAE/g ± 0.44). Flavonoids are the main constituents and alpinetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, (−)-epicatechin, and pinocembrin were identified as major compounds. The least effective extraction condition was 50% hydroethanolic extract from dried leaves without heating. This extract showed the smallest vasodilator response (ED50 = 29.1 ± 4.3 µg) and TPC (6.35 mg GAE/g ± 0.08), reinforcing the use of fresh leaves and heating step to improve extracts performance. The vasodilator effect and the main flavonoid composition of AZE4 provide experimental support, suggesting this extract as a potential source of bioactive flavonoids to treat cardiovascular diseases.

Alpinia zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) is a unique ornamental and medicinal plant primarily used in food ingredients and traditional medicine. While organic amendments such as biochar (BC) and compost (Co) have been demonstrated to improve plant productivity, no studies have examined their effects on the growth, physiology, and secondary metabolites of A. zerumbet. This study evaluated the impact of the amendment of BC, Co, or a biochar and compost mixture (BC+Co) on modifying and improving the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant status, and secondary metabolism of A. zerumbet grown on sandy loam soil. The morpho-physiological and biochemical investigation revealed variation in the response of A. zerumbet to organic amendments. The amendment of BC and BC+Co significantly increased net photosynthetic rates of plants by more than 28%, chlorophyll a and b contents by 92 and 78%, respectively, and carboxylation efficiency by 50% compared with those grown in the sandy loam soil without amendment. Furthermore, the amendment significantly decreased plant oxidative stress, measured as leaf free proline and glycine betaine. Enzymatic antioxidant activity, total phenols, and flavonoids also varied in their response to the organic amendments. In conclusion, this study shows that BC and/or Co amendments are an efficient and sustainable method for improving the metabolite contents and reducing oxidative stress in A. zerumbet.

Cancer radiotherapy and modern synthetic medicine are critical for the treatment of cancer patients, but on the other hand they may have tremendous harmful side effect from the point of view of a weakened immune system. The focus of current research efforts in the industry and academia is not only to find affordable treatment methodologies but also to discover sources that mitigates or prevents the negative impact of these treatments on the patient’s immune system. This review will provide details of optimal methodology involving Invitro application of techniques such as phytochemical analysis, thin layer chromatography, cytogenetic analysis that were adopted to assess the efficacy of Alpinia Zerumbet extracts as a radioprotector. These methodologies provide a holistic evaluation technique for assessing any potential cytoprotective agent, especially if it’s from the herbal domain. As a case study, analytical and inferential results summary of the research conducted to assess radioprotective property of Alpinia Zerumbet, a herbal and readily available derivative, will be presented. The key findings from the research indicate that the Alpinia Zerumbet extract has potential to be an effective radioprotector, with minimal side effects as compared to synthetic chemical cytoprotective agents. Keywords: Radioprotection; cancer; herbal; Alpinia Zerumbet

We investigated the effect of Alpinia zerumbet essential oil on the quality and shelf life of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fillets stored under refrigeration (10.0 ± 0.5 °C) for 14 days. The treatments were A. zerumbet essential oil at 0.75% v v-1 (AEO 0.75%), A. zerumbet essential oil at 1.5% v v-1 (AEO 1.5%) and a control (no essential oil). The sample quality and shelf life were determined by the total psychrotrophic count (TPC) and chemical parameters (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, centesimal composition and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS) at zero, seven and 14 days of storage time. The TPC decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an A. zerumbetessential oil level of 1.5% until seven days of storage. The concentration of A. zerumbet essential oil at 0.75% resulted in lower pH, TBARS, and TVBN values in comparison with the other treatment and the control. Thus, A. zerumbet essential oil was efficient in extending the shelf life of refrigerated tambaqui fillets up to approximately seven days. RESUMO Investigamos o efeito do óleo essencial de Alpinia zerumbet sobre a qualidade e vida útil de filés de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) armazenados sob refrigeração (10,0 ± 0,5 °C) durante 14 dias. Os tratamentos foram óleo essencial de A. zerumbet (OEA) a 0,75% v v-1 (OEA 0,75%) e 1,5% v v 1 (OEA 1,5%), além de um controle (sem OEA). A qualidade e vida útil das amostras foram determinadas por contagem psicrotrófica total (CPT) e parâmetros químicos (pH, bases nitrogenadas voláteis totais, composição centesimal e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico - SRATB), nos dias zero, sete e 14 de armazenamento. O TPC diminuiu significativamente (p < 0,05) com óleo essencial de A. zerumbet a 1,5% por até sete dias de armazenamento. O tratamento contendo OEA a 0,75% resultou em menores valores de pH, SRTAB e BNV-T em comparação ao outro tratamento e ao controle. Portanto, o óleo essencial de A. zerumbet foi eficiente para prolongar a vida útil do filé de tambaqui por aproximadamente sete dias.

In plants, viral diseases are second only to fungal diseases in terms of occurrence, and cause substantial damage to agricultural crops. The aqueous extracts of shell ginger, Alpinia zerumbet exhibit inhibitory effects against virus infections in belonging to the Solanaceae family. In this study, we isolated an anti-plant-virus molecule from the extracts using a conventional method involving a combination of reversed phase column chromatography, dialysis, and lyophilization. The anti-plant-virus molecule was identified as proanthocyanidin, which mostly consisted of epicatechin and exhibited more than 40 degrees of polymerization.

The present study evaluated the toxicity and larvicidal activity of essential oil (EO) of Alpinia zerumbet leaves. The (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation at 100°C for 3h and the physicochemical parameters were determined using the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Toxicity was performed through the bioassay of Artemia salina Leach, then larvicidal activity was evaluated against Aedes aegypti. LC50 was calculated for toxicity and larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae based on the Reed-Muench method. The EO was classified for toxicity and the Dolabela criterion was used. In the toxicity bioassay, LC50 321.15 mg L-1 was classified as nontoxic. Larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti showed 50.70 mg L-1 according to EO. Total phenolics resulted in 513.574 mg EAT g-1. The EO presented satisfactory results against the microorganisms tested, revealing its efficiency in combating and controlling pathogenic microorganisms and larvicides. El presente estudio evaluó la toxicidad y la actividad larvicida de aceite esencial (AE) de hojas de Alpinia zerumbet. El AE fue extraído por hidrodestación a 100 °C durante 3h y los parámetros fisicoquímicos se determinaron utilizando la Farmacopea Brasileña. La toxicidad se realizó através del bioensayo de Artemia salina Leach, luego se evaluó la actividad larvicida contra Aedes aegypti. CL50 se calculó para toxicidad y actividad larvicida contra larvas de mosquitos basado en el método Reed-Muench. La AE se clasificó para toxicidad y se utilizó el criterio Dolabela. En el bioensayo de toxicidad, CL50 321.15 mg L-1 se clasificó como no tóxico. La actividad larvicida contra Aedes aegypti mostró 50,70 mg de L-1 según AE. El total de fenólicos dio como resultado 513.574 mg EAT g-1. La AEpresentó resultados satisfactorios contra los microorganismos probados, revelando su eficiencia en la lucha y control de microorganismos patógenos y larvicidas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a toxicidade e a atividade larvicida do óleo essencial (OE) das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet. O (OE) foi extraído por hidrodestilação a 100°C por 3h e determinaram-se os parâmetros físico-químicos mediante a Farmacopeia Brasileira. A toxicidade foi realizada através do bioensaio de Artemia salina Leach, em seguida, avaliou-se a atividade larvicida frente ao Aedes aegypti.Calculou-se a CL50 para a toxicidade e a atividade larvicida frente as larvas do mosquito com base no método de Reed-Muench. Classificou-se o OE quanto à toxicidade e utilizou-se o critério de Dolabela. No bioensaio de toxicidade, o CL50321,15 mg L-1, sendo classificado como atóxico. A atividade larvicida frente ao Aedes aegyptiapresentou 50,70 mg L-1 segundo o OE. Os fenólicos totais apresentaram resultado de 513,574 mg EAT g-1. O OE apresentou resultados satisfatórios contra os microrganismos testados, revelando sua eficiência no combate e controle de microrganismos patogênicos e larvicidas.

This study aimed to determine total phenolics, assess toxicity and antimicrobial activity of essential oil (EO) of Alpinia zerumbet leaves. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and the physicochemical parameters were determined according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The toxicity assay followed the lethality bioassay against the non-target organism Artemia salina Leach. The antimicrobial activity followed the methodology described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute using the Method of Disc Diffusion and Broth Dilution to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the action of EE against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus sp. and Penicilium sp. OE yield was 0.71%. Lethal Concentration 50% (LC50) for the action of EO against Artemia salina L. 280.40 mg/L, being considered nontoxic. Through the antimicrobial assays, the OE presented bactericidal activity against the bacteria E. coli and S. aureus,and fungicide activity against the fungi Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. It was concluded that the EO has a good antimicrobial potential, and its application is appreciated by its classification as nontoxic OE.. Este estudio tenía como objetivo determinar el total de fenólicos, evaluar la toxicidad y la actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial (AE) de las hojas de Alpinia zerumbet. La AE fue extraída por hidrodestestación y los parámetros fisicoquímicos se determinaron de acuerdo con la Farmacopea Brasileña. El ensayo de toxicidad siguió al bioensayo de letalidad contra el organismo no objetivo Artemia salina Leach. La actividad antimicrobiana siguió la metodología descrita por el Instituto de Normas Clínicas y de Laboratorio utilizando el Método de Difusión de Discos y Dilución de Caldo para determinar la Concentración Inhibidora Mínima (CIM) para la acción de AE contra Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus sp. y Penicilium sp. AE yield fue 0.71%. Concentración Letal 50% (CL50) para la acción de AE contra Artemia salina L. 280,40 mg/L, siendo considerados no tóxicos. Através de los ensayos antimicrobianos, la AE presentó actividad bactericida contra las bacterias E. coli y S. aureus,y la actividad fungicida contra los hongos Aspergillus sp. y Penicillium sp. Se concluye que la EO tiene un buen potencial antimicrobiano, y su aplicación es apreciada por su clasificación como OE no tóxica. Este estudo teve por objetivo a determinação dos fenólicos totais, avaliação da toxicidade e a atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial (OE) das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet. O OE foi extraído por hidrodestilação e os parâmetros físico-químicos foram determinados de acordo com a Farmacopeia Brasileira. O ensaio da toxicidade seguiu o bioensaio de letalidade frente ao organismo não-alvo Artemia salina Leach. A atividade antimicrobiana seguiu a metodologia descrita pelo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute utilizando o Método de Difusão de Disco e Diluição em Caldo para determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) para ação do OE frente à Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus sp. e Penicilium sp. O rendimento do OE foi de 0,71%. A Concentração Letal 50% (CL50) para a ação do OE frente a Artemia salina L. foi de 280,40 mg/L, sendo considerado atóxico. Através dos ensaios antimicrobianos, o OE apresentou atividade bactericida frente às bactérias E. coli e S. aureus, e atividade fungicida frente aos fungos Aspergillus sp. e Penicillium sp. Conclui-se que o OE apresenta um bom potencial antimicrobiano, sendo sua aplicação apreciada pela sua classificação como OE atóxico.

Alpinia katsumadai (A. katsumadai), Alpinia oxyphylla (A. oxyphylla) and Alpinia pumila (A. pumila), which belong to the family Zingiberaceae, exhibit multiple medicinal properties. The chloroplast genome of a non-model plant provides valuable information for species identification and phylogenetic analysis. Here, we sequenced three complete chloroplast genomes of A. katsumadai, A. oxyphylla sampled from Guangdong and A. pumila, and analyzed the published chloroplast genomes of Alpinia zerumbet (A. zerumbet) and A. oxyphylla sampled from Hainan to retrieve useful chloroplast molecular resources for Alpinia. The five Alpinia chloroplast genomes possessed typical quadripartite structures comprising of a large single copy (LSC, 87,248&ndash, 87,667 bp), a small single copy (SSC, 15,306&ndash, 18,295 bp) and a pair of inverted repeats (IR, 26,917&ndash, 29,707 bp). They had similar gene contents, gene orders and GC contents, but were slightly different in the numbers of small sequence repeats (SSRs) and long repeats. Interestingly, fifteen highly divergent regions (rpl36, ycf1, rps15, rpl22, infA, psbT-psbN, accD-psaI, petD-rpoA, psaC-ndhE, ccsA-ndhD, ndhF-rpl32, rps11-rpl36, infA-rps8, psbC-psbZ, and rpl32-ccsA), which could be suitable for species identification and phylogenetic studies, were detected in the Alpinia chloroplast genomes. Comparative analyses among the five chloroplast genomes indicated that 1891 mutational events, including 304 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 118 insertion/deletions (indels) between A. pumila and A. katsumadai, 367 SNPs and 122 indels between A. pumila and A. oxyphylla sampled from Guangdong, 331 SNPs and 115 indels between A. pumila and A. zerumbet, 371 SNPs and 120 indels between A. pumila and A. oxyphylla sampled from Hainan, and 20 SNPs and 23 indels between the two accessions of A. oxyphylla, were accurately located. Additionally, phylogenetic relationships based on SNP matrix among 28 whole chloroplast genomes showed that Alpinia was a sister branch to Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae, and that the five Alpinia accessions were divided into three groups, one including A. pumila, another including A. zerumbet and A. katsumadai, and the other including two accessions of A. oxyphylla. In conclusion, the complete chloroplast genomes of the three medicinal Alpinia species in this study provided valuable genomic resources for further phylogeny and species identification in the family Zingiberaceae.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of essential oils from three species of plants with intermediary concentrations of 1,8-cineole against the tick species Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. For this purpose, five serial concentrations (100.0, 50.0, 25.0, 12.5, 6.2 mg/mL) of essential oils from Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze, Ocimum gratissimum L. and Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm. were used on larval packet and adult immersion tests. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), being detected 35.8, 24.7 and 24.0% of 1.8-cineol in the oils of M. suaveolens, O. gratissimum and A. zerumbet, respectively. The lethal concentration (LC 50) of each oil for larvae and engorged females was calculated through Probit analysis. All essential oils showed high efficacy (≥ 95.0%) on engorged females at the 100.0 mg/mL concentration. In regards to larvae, O. gratissimum (LC 50 = 11.9 mg/mL) was the most potent, followed by the A. zerumbet (LC50 = 19.7 mg/mL) and the M. suaveolens (LC50 = 51.6 mg/mL) essential oils. These results show that other compounds interfere with 1,8-cineole action. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade acaricida de óleos essenciais de três espécies de plantas com concentrações intermediárias de 1,8-cineol contra o carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus . Dessa forma, cinco concentrações diferentes (100,0; 50,0; 25,0; 12,5; 6,2 mg/mL) de óleos essenciais de Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze , Ocimum gratissimum L. e Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm. foram avaliadas pelos testes de pacote de larvas e de imersão de adultos. Os óleos essenciais foram analisados pela cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectometria de massa (GC/MS) e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector de ionização de chama (GC-FID), sendo detectados 35,8, 24,7 e 24,0% de 1,8-cineol nos óleos de M. suaveolens, O. gratissimum e A. zerumbet , respectivamente. A concentração letal (CL50) de cada óleo essencial para larvas e fêmeas ingurgitadas foi calculada por meio da análise de Probit. Todos os óleos essenciais na concentração de 100,0 mg/mL apresentaram elevada eficácia (≥ 95,0%) sobre fêmeas ingurgitadas. Com relação as larvas, o óleo essencial de O. gratissimum (CL50 = 11,9 mg/mL) foi o mais potente, seguido pelos óleos de A. zerumbet (LC50 = 19,7 mg/mL) e M. suaveolens (LC50 = 51,6 mg/mL). Estes resultados demonstram que outros compostos interferem na eficácia de 1,8-cineol.

Alpinia zerumbet is an important medicinal and ornamental plant species. Drought stress is a major concern for sustainable horticulture crop production under changing climate scenarios. Trehalose (Tre) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) are osmoprotectants that play important roles in mitigating plant stresses. In this study, the effects of foliar application of 25 mM Tre or 10 mg L−1 ALA on biochemical and physiological parameters of A. zerumbet seedlings and their growth were evaluated under well-watered and drought-stressed (65% of field capacity) conditions. Drought caused reductions in physiological parameters and plant growth. These decreases were accompanied by increases in leaf free proline and glycine betaine concentrations and peroxidase activities. Foliar application of Tre or ALA remediated physiological and biochemical parameters and plant growth. Overall, foliar application of ALA or Tre proved to be beneficial for mitigating drought stress in A. zerumbet.

A espécie Alpinia zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) tem amplo emprego na medicina tradicional e popular como diurética e anti-hipertensiva. O Formulário de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira padroniza o uso de A. zerumbet na forma de tintura, indicada para o tratamento de hipertensão arterial leve. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da técnica de extração e do tamanho de partícula do material vegetal no processo extrativo de compostos fenólicos totais das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet. Folhas secas foram extraídas com etanol:água (7:3 v/v), comparando-se quatro técnicas de extração (percolação, maceração estática, extração por ultrassom e maceração dinâmica), cada uma combinada a quatro faixas de tamanhos de partícula do material vegetal (não tamisado, 16-32 mesh, 32-60 mesh e 60-100 mesh) totalizando 16 extrações. Os compostos fenólicos totais foram quantificados utilizando o método espectrofotométrico de Folin-Denis. A percolação demonstrou ser a técnica mais eficiente, seguida da maceração dinâmica, extração por ultrassom e, com menor eficiência, a maceração estática. A variação no tamanho de partícula do material vegetal demonstrou não influenciar significativamente na extração de fenólicos totais. A percolação e a faixa de tamanho de partícula padronizado entre 60 e 100 mesh, demonstrou ser a combinação mais eficiente avaliada neste estudo.

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica, dentre as doenças crônicas, apresenta-se como um dos problemas de saúde de maior magnitude na atualidade, sendo uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade cardiovascular no Brasil. Seu tratamento consiste na utilização de medicamentos convencionais e plantas medicinais, sendo essa associação cada vez mais frequente, aumentando os riscos de ocorrência de interações. Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever, mediante revisão de literatura, as principais interações entre plantas medicinais e medicamentos sintéticos utilizados na terapia da hipertensão arterial e discutir as implicações do uso concomitante desses produtos. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura em trabalhos publicados no período de 2006 a 2016, abordando interações de medicamentos com plantas medicinais a partir de levantamento entofarmacológico, seguido e estudos de comprovação da atividade anti-hipertensiva. As plantas reconhecidas para o tratamento de hipertensão foram Allium sativum, Alpinia zerumbet, Citrus sp., Lippia alba, Passiflora sp., Cymbopogon citratus, Sechium edule. Foram avaliadas as possíveis interaçõesdessas plantas com os medicamentos convencionais para tratar hipertensão. Foi observado que as principais interações envolvidas no uso concomitante entre plantas medicinais e fármacos são do tipo farmacodinâmicas. Dessa forma se faz necessário ter cautela ao associar o uso de plantas aos medicamentos.