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RESUMO: O presente trabalho descreve a atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial e do extrato etanólico das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet (colônia) sobre cepas de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de vacas com mastite subclínica e cepas padrão ATCC 29213 e ATCC 25923, por meio do método de difusão em ágar. Foram utilizados 10 tratamentos contendo diferentes concentrações do óleo essencial e do extrato etanólico (100,0; 50,0; 25,0; 12,5 e 6,3 mg.mL-1) e o grupo controle (álcool etílico a 50% e Tween a 1%). Os constituintes majoritários do óleo essencial foram p -cimeno (32,72%), 1,8-cineol (24,05%) e 4-terpineol (20,23%), sendo esses determinados por cromatografia a gás acoplada a espectrometria de massas e cromatografia a gás com detector de ionização de chama (CG-EM/DIC). No extrato etanólico foi detectado o ácido elágico e três flavonoides: rutina, quercetina e campferol, por meio de cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência acoplada a detector de arranjo de diodo (CLAE-DAD). Todas as cepas apresentaram sensibilidade aos tratamentos com óleo essencial e extrato etanólico. A melhor resposta foi obtida com o óleo essencial de A. zerumbet que, na concentração de 100 mg.mL-1 proporcionou inibição total do crescimento bacteriano. Esses resultados sugerem o potencial antibacteriano do óleo essencial e do extrato etanólico de A. zerumbet no controle da mastite bovina.

Essential oils are composed of multiple components. It is thought that the effect of essential oils is due to specific component ratios, which may differ from the original ratio when the essential oil is absorbed. However, very little detailed research exists in this area. We studied the distribution of essential oil components after inhalation of single and mixed components in mice. This research was done using four main components of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt. and R. M. Sm.: α-pinene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, and limonene. After inhalation of single or mixed components for 90 min, component levels in the brain and liver of mice were measured. The results indicated that the amount of α-pinene in the brain and liver was twofold greater after mixed-component inhalation than that after single-component inhalation. In a comparison of the components of the mixed inhalation, the ratio of α-pinene increased to about three times that of 1,8-cineole. It is thought that the absorption via the nasal mucus greatly influences this phenomenon. The results of this investigation of the bodily distribution of essential oil volatile components may provide clues for elucidating their action.

In utilization of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt and Smith (Zingiberaceae) (AZ), usually the angiocarps are discarded without further use.We speculate whether the angiocarps could show hypolipidemic effect.Several diets were prepared: Alpinia seed powder (ASP); Alpinia seed powder/husk (ASH): 40/60; and Alpinia seed essential oil (ASO): 0.01-0.10%. Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 11 groups were fed these diets for 8 weeks and tested for the hypolipidemic bioactivity.The fecal neutral cholesterol excretion was increased, and the serum total triglyceride (TG) was significantly reduced from 153.7 mg/dL in the high-fat group (H) to 114.3-119.8 mg/dL by ASO; to 116.3-147.9 mg/dL by ASP; and to 116.2-145.3 mg/dL by ASH. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were almost unaffected. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were mostly raised by ASO to 180.3-200.8 mg/dL. The lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) levels were mostly reduced to 66.8-82.6 mg/dL by ASH. The level of arachidonic acid was mostly raised to 0.50-0.60% by ASO, compared with 0.37% of group H. More importantly, the significant reduction in hepatic TG and total cholesterol (TC) implicated a crucial liver protective effect.ASP and ASH consisted of high crude-fiber content, while ASO consisted of seed essential oil. Both the seed essential oil and the whole powder of AZ previously had been reported to possess potent hypolipidemic bioactivity. Conclusively, the hypolipidemic effect can be attributed to the combined effect of the essential oil and the crude fiber.

Objectives The antipsychotic, hypnotic, myorelaxant and antioxidant effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAZ) were studied. Methods EOAZ (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) was administered once to mice for the determination of antipsychotic activity (evaluated by ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion), hypnotic activity (induced by sodium pentobarbital, 40 mg/kg i.p.), motor coordination (rotarod test), antioxidant effects (determination of lipid peroxidation and GSH levels), as well as alterations in nitric oxide levels (determination of nitrite content). Key findings EOAZ at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg prevented ketamine hyperlocomotion, as did haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg i.p). EOAZ at a dose of 200 mg/kg decreased sleep latency, while all doses increased sleeping time. There was no effect on motor coordination. The in-vitro antioxidant capacity of the oil caused a decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase in GSH levels. EOAZ also prevented the decrease in nitrite content caused by oxidative stress. Conclusions The results suggest antipsychotic and antioxidant effects for the EOAZ that may have promising efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Plant leaves are commonly used in folk medicine and food industry. Their volatile composition is an important determinant in such applications. However, to properly assess the quality of volatiles, proper analytic tools must be utilised. Accordingly, the static headspace technique was used to evaluate the main volatiles emitted from in vitro-grown Alpinia zerumbet plants cultured with indole-3-acetic acid, thidiazuron, benzyladenine or kinetin, under standard physical conditions, as compared to those of field-grown donor plants. Although the leaf aroma of the donor plants was found to be a complex mixture, mainly consisting of sabinene, α and γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole and caryophyllene, volatile analyses from most of the in vitro samples only revealed the presence of sabinene and caryophyllene. Many alkanes were found in the aromas after treating plantlets with cytokinins. Histochemical analysis of leaf sections was also carried out. Secretory cells found in the epidermis and mesophyll showed a strong positive reaction to lipophilic compounds using Oil red and Nile blue reagents. These findings demonstrated how in vitro conditions may alter the quality of volatiles in micropropagation systems, while leaf anatomy analysis revealed a large quantity of oil cells in the mesophyll as a constant feature responsible for the production of volatile compounds in both donor and in vitro-grown plants.

Several reports have described the relationship between the quantity of an essential oil (EO), delivered by injection, and the effects on emotional behaviour. However, few studies have examined the relationship between the duration of EO inhalation and effects on emotional behaviour. It is necessary to clarify this relationship to accomplish effective utilization of an EO. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the relationship between EO inhalation time and anxiolytic-like effects. The anxiolytic-like effect of inhaled EO at various administration times was examined in normal healthy mice using the elevated-plus maze (EPM) test. The effect of a dose of 3.5 mg/l air of Alpinia zerumbet EO was assessed using the EPM test. A time-dependent potentiation in the anxiolytic-like effect was observed when the inhalation time was altered from 0 to 120 min. A significant (P < 0.05 compared to time 0) anxiolytic-like effect was observed to peak at inhalation times of 90 and 120 min. However, the anxiolytic-like effect returned to normal with a 150-min exposure. There was an optimal time of EO inhalation for expressing an anxiolytic-like effect.

Plants containing bioactive substances have increasingly become the object of research studies, particularly those plants with therapeutic value. Many species of the genus Alpinia provide a variety of medicinal properties, such as, Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith and A. purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum, which have a significant presence in Brazil. These species have been commercialized in the food and cosmetic industries. However, their greatest importance arises from the medicinal properties of their essential oils containing flavonoids, terpenoids and kavalactones which have been used in folk medicine to treat, for example, arterial hypertension and inflammatory processes. In addition, such species are also used in multidisciplinary studies, including phytochemistry, ethnobotany and biology, indicating the key pharmacological role of this genus in everyday life. Therefore, this work aims to present a bibliographic review of the genus Alpinia and its significance in therapeutic applications.

Past studies on the antioxidant properties (AOP) of ginger species were confined to rhizomes. Although leaves of ginger species have been used for food flavouring and in traditional medicine, little research has been done on their AOP until recent years. This overview is on recent work done on the AOP of ginger leaves. Emphasis is on variation between species, comparison with rhizomes and flowers, altitudinal variation, effects of thermal and non-thermal drying methods, herbal teas, and commercial potentials. Of 26 ginger species, belonging to nine genera and three tribes, AOP of leaves were strongest in Etlingera followed by Alpinia and Hedychium. Eleven out of 14 species (78%) had significantly higher values in leaves than in rhizomes. Similar trends were also observed in other species of Zingiber, Boesenbergia and Elettariopsis. Leaves of highland populations of Etlingera had higher values than their lowland counterparts. Thermal drying of leaves of four species led to drastic declines in AOP but freeze drying led to significantly increase for leaves of Etlingera elatior and Alpinia zerumbet. AOP of hot-water extracts of the freeze-dried tea of A. zerumbet were found to be significantly higher than the commercial tea. A protocol to produce a standardised herbal extract of chlorogenic acid (CGA) from E. elatior leaves (40% purity) has been developed. With high CGA content of 1.6 times that of commercial extracts from honeysuckle flowers (25% purity), the standardised extract has great potential to be developed into functional foods and other health products.

(Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Smith is an aromatic plant, distributed widely in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It has been extensively studied because its essential oil has a variety of biological functionalities. Underwater shock waves consist of instantaneous high pressures that penetrate entire plant cells and selectively destroy the cell walls of leaves and stems by spalling destruction. Therefore, it is expected that exposing leaves to shock waves as a preprocessing step draws more effective extraction of essential oil by subsequent steam distillation. In this study, we prepared

The essential oil of the rhizome of Alpinia speciosa K. Schum. collected from Dehradun, India, was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sixty-six compounds representing 95.98% of the oil were identified. The major constituents of the essential oil of the rhizome were terpinen-4-ol (15.4%), 1,8-cineole (11.1%) and T-cadinol (8.8%). The oil showed antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) using the well diffusion method.

A espécie vegetal Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M. Sm. é popularmente empregada para o tratamento de diversas enfermidades, entre elas a hipertensão. Avaliar a composição química, a atividade antihipertensiva e ação na hipertrofia cardíaca do óleo essencial das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet (OEAZ) em ratos foram os objetivos deste estudo. O OEAZ, obtido por hidrodestilação em aparelho Clevenger, teve sua composição química analisada em cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). Foram identificados 14 constituintes, sendo terpinen-4-ol (37,45%) o majoritário, seguido pelos óxido de cariofileno (7,56%), trans-hidrato de sabineno (6,61%) e 1,8-cineol (4,02%). A avaliação cardiovascular foi feita após o tratamento crônico de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) e seus respectivos controles, ratos Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Os dados hemodinâmicos revelaram redução da pressão arterial média (PAM) no grupo tratado (SHRP: 160 ± 7 mm Hg; p

Methanol extracts of Alpinia galanga, Alpinia zerumbet, Alpinia zerumbet variegata and Alpinia purpurata were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities (AOA). The AOA were investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power (RP), ferrous ion chelating as well asβ-carotene bleaching assays. High antioxidant activities shown in leaves of A. zerumbet, A. zerumbet variegata and A. purpurata by using DPPH and RP assays were associated with high TPC values. In spite of lower TPC values, A. galanga leaves and flowers showed highest chelating andβ-carotene bleaching abilities. The antimicrobial activities were screened by using disc diffusion method. Extracts from A. galanga and A. purpurata flowers showed the largest zone of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus. Only the extract from A. galanga rhizome showed antifungal activity toward Aspergillus niger. This work shows that leaves of A. zerumbet, A. zerumbet variegata and A. purpurata may serve as potential dietary sources of natural antioxidants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Alpinia species are widely used in traditional cures and as food ingredients. Alpinia galanga rhizome is used as spice and food flavoring agent, and its leaves and inflorescence are consumed as vegetable. Its rhizome is also used to treat diseases such as fungal skin infections, intestinal infections, Type II diabetes, bronchitis and rheumatism. Alpinia zerumbet is used as ingredients in traditional health supplement, as diuretic agent and hypertension control. Alpinia zerumbet variegate and Alpinia purpurata are ornamental plants.

Effects of five different drying methods on the antioxidant properties (AOP) of leaves of Alpinia zerumbet, Etlingera elatior, Curcuma longa, and Kaempferia galanga were assessed. All methods of thermal drying (microwave-, oven-, and sun-drying) resulted in drastic declines in total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC), and ferric-reducing power (FRP), with minimal effects on ferrous ion-chelating ability and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Of the non-thermal drying methods, significant losses were observed in air-dried leaves. Freeze-drying resulted in significant gains in TPC, AEAC, and FRP for A. zerumbet and E. elatior leaves. After one week storage, AOP of freeze-dried E. elatior leaves remained significantly higher than those of fresh control leaves. Freeze-dried tea of A. zerumbet was superior to the commercial tea for all AOP studied.

The current study aims to verify the best method for a rapid and efficient extraction of flavonoids from Alpinia zerumbet. Dried leaves were extracted using distillated water and ethanol 70% by extraction methods of shaking maceration, ultrasonic, microwave and stirring. By the application of TLC and reversed-phase HPLC techniques the rutin and kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide were detected. Ethanol 70% was more efficient for flavonoids extraction than water. No significant yielding variation was verified for ultrasonic, microwave and stirring methods using ethanol 70% (11 to 14%). The relative concentration of rutin and kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, respectively, was higher by ultrasonic (1.5 and 5.62 mg g-1 dried leaves, respectively) and by microwave (1.0 and 6.64 mg g-1 dried leaves) methods using ethanol. Rapid and simplified extraction proceeding optimize phytochemical work and acquisition of secondary metabolites.O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a melhor metodologia de extração para rápida e eficiente obtenção de flavonóides a partir de Alpinia zerumbet. Folhas secas foram extraídas com água destilada e etanol 70%, utilizando as metodologias de extração: maceração sob agitação, ultrassom, microondas e agitador. Para verificação dos flavonóides rutina e kaempferol-3-O-glicuronídeo foram utilizadas as técnicas de CCD e CLAE em fase reversa. O solvente etanol 70% foi mais eficiente como extrator. Para as metodologias ultrassom, microondas e agitador, não houve variação significativa para o rendimento utilizando etanol 70% (11 a 14%). A concentração relativa de rutina e kaempferol-3-O-glicuronídeo respectivamente foi maior pelos métodos de extração ultrassom (1,5 e 5,62 mg g-1 folha seca) e microondas (1,0 e 6,64 mg g-1 folha seca) utilizando etanol 70%. Procedimentos rápidos e simplificados de extração otimizam o trabalho fitoquímico e a obtenção de metabólitos secundários.

In folkloric plant medicines, Alpinia zerumbet (AZ) has been popularly recognized as an exellent hepatoprotector. To search for a good high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) elevating herbal preparation, we examined AZ for its antioxidant and hypolipidaemic bioactivities, especially its HDL-C elevating activity. AZ seeds contain 0.51% essential oils (SO), which are comprised of monoterpenoids, oxygenated monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, oxygenated sesquiterpenoids, aldehydes, acid, and esters. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated that most of the monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were recoverable in pentane eluent, whilst the oxygenated monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids remained in ether eluent. The high contents of rutin, quercetin, and polyphenolics in ethanolic extract of AZ seeds exhibit moderate antilipoperoxidative but potent DPPH free radical scavenging bioactivities. Conclusively, both seed powder (SP) and SO are effective hypolipidaemics with amazingly potent HDL-C elevating capabilities. On the basis of hepatoprotectivity, SP is a more feasible hypolipidemic agent as well as a promising HDL-C elevating plant medicine.

In Okinawa, leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala de Wit) has great potential as animal feed for its high protein content, but its use has been limited owing to the presence of mimosine (β-[N-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridone)]-α-aminopropionic acid) which, when ingested, causes diseases in animals. A detoxifying enzyme, mimosinase, was purified from leucaena leaves and cDNA was cloned based on the amino acid sequence. During essential oil production and fiber isolation from alpinia (Alpinia zerumbet), large volumes of solid and squeezed wastes are produced and subsequently discarded. An extraction protocol to obtain essential oils, dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK) and enriched antioxidant phenolic extracts from fresh leaves or rhizomes of alpinia and its waste was developed.

During essential oil production from Alpinia zerumbet, large volumes of water and solid wastes are produced and subsequently discarded. An extraction protocol to obtain essential oil, dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK) and enriched antioxidant phenolic extracts from fresh leaves or rhizomes of A. zerumbet and their wastes was developed. The main components determined in leaf oil were 1,8-cineol, camphor and methyl cinnamate, whereas rhizome oil mainly contained DDK and methyl cinnamate. The highest DDK content was found in the hexane extract of fresh rhizomes. Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities than those from rhizomes. Ethyl acetate extract from wastewater of leaves possessed the strongest inhibition to β-carotene oxidation. Ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids were the major phenolics present in these extracts. The results indicate that disposed wastes produced during essential oil production from A. zerumbet leaves or rhizomes may be utilized in foodstuffs as a cheap source of natural antioxidants.

Alpinia zerumbet leaves and rhizomes have been extensively studied for their chemical compositions and biological activities. However, less attention has been given to its flowers and seeds. In our study, essential oil, total phenolics and antioxidant capacities assayed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and b-carotene bleaching methods were evaluated in flowers and seeds of A. zerumbet. In addition, their phenolic composition was determined by GC–MS and HPLC. 1,8-Cineol, camphor, methyl cinnamate and borneol were the major constituents in flower oils, whereas the main components in seeds oil were a-cadinol, T-muurolol, a-terpineol, d-cadinene and terpinene-4-ol. The results showed that the hexane extract of flowers contained a significantly higher quantity of dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK) than that of seeds. Total phenolic contents of flower and seed extracts were measured as 56.7 and 13.7 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram extract, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of flowers and seeds possessed a high antiradical activity and prevented the bleaching of b-carotene. The HPLC analysis indicated that p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid and syringic acid were the predominant phenolics in the ethyl acetate extract of flowers, whilst p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and vanillin were the major phenolics in seeds. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Here, we investigated the anti-oxidant and anti-aging effects of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (tairin and shima) in vitro and anti-melanogenic effects in B16F10 melanoma cells. The anti-oxidant activities were performed with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and xanthine oxidase. The inhibitory activities against collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were employed for anti-aging. The anti-melanogenic was assessed in B16F10 melanoma cells by melanin synthesis and intracellular tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The volatile chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The EO was a complex mixture mainly consisting of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The results revealed that tairin and shima EOs showed strong anti-oxidant activities against DPPH and nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and xanthine oxidase inhibition. Compared to shima EO, tairin EO exhibited strong anti-aging activity by inhibiting collagenase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, and elastase (IC50 = 11 ± 0.1, 25 ± 1.2, 83 ± 1.6, and 213 ± 2 μg/mL, respectively). Both EOs inhibited intracellular tyrosinase activity, thus, reducing melanin synthesis. These results suggest that tairin EO has better anti-oxidant/anti-aging activity than shima EO, but both are equally anti-melanogenic.

The clinical efficacy of standardized essential oils (such as Lavender officinalis), in treating anxiety disorders strongly suggests that these natural products are an important candidate source for new anxiolytic drugs. A systematic review of essential oils, their bioactive constituents, and anxiolytic-like activity is conducted. The essential oil with the best profile is Lavendula angustifolia, which has already been tested in controlled clinical trials with positive results. Citrus aurantium using different routes of administration also showed significant effects in several animal models, and was corroborated by different research groups. Other promising essential oils are Citrus sinensis and bergamot oil, which showed certain clinical anxiolytic actions; along with Achillea wilhemsii, Alpinia zerumbet, Citrus aurantium, and Spiranthera odoratissima, which, like Lavendula angustifolia, appear to exert anxiolytic-like effects without GABA/benzodiazepine activity, thus differing in their mechanisms of action from the benzodiazepines. The anxiolytic activity of 25 compounds commonly found in essential oils is also discussed.

The traditional uses of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.BurttR.m.SM (Zingiberaceae), popularly known as colonia or pacová, suggest that the species has antihypertensive, diuretic, and sedative properties. We previously reported that an ethanol extract of Alpinia zerumbet (HEA) significantly reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST), similar to the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine. Moreover, HEA presented antioxidant and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.The objective of this study is to investigate the involvement of monoaminergic and glutamatergic systems in the antidepressant-like effects of this species.A hydroethanolic extract prepared with the leaves of A. zerumbet was assayed in the TST in male Swiss mice (800 mg/kg, p.o.). Synthesis inhibitors (AMPT, inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, 100 mg/kg, i.p.; and PCPA, irreversible tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and a specific glutamate antagonist (AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) were used prior testing.Pre-treatment with the noradrenergic/dopaminergic inhibitor AMPT fully abolished the anti-immobility effects of HEA, with the two-way ANOVA yielding a significant interaction between pre-treatment and treatment (F1,32 = 10.0, p0.01); no interaction was observed with the serotonergic inhibitor PCPA (F1,32 = 0.33, p0.05) or NBQX (F1,32 = 0.21, p0.05).These results indicated that HEA most likely acts through the dopaminergic and/or noradrenergic system but not through the serotoninergic or glutamatergic systems. This study reinforces the idea that the available biodiversity in Brazil can serve as a basis for innovation in the development of new drugs.

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. is indicated in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, headache and sinusitis. To evaluate the effect of extracts and fractions of flowers from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. in order to provide a scientific rationale for the use of the plant for the treatment of sinusitis, this study was realized. The extracts and fractions were prepared and analyzed by phytochemical investigation. Antibacterial activity against 12 bacterial pathogens associated with sinusitis was evaluated by employing an agar dilution method. The hexane fraction showed the broader activity spectrum inhibiting 10 out of the 12 tested bacteria specially Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Fusobacterium necrophorum. The lower MIC value was observed for the ethyl acetate fraction against Streptococcus pneumoniae (32 µgµL-1). All extracts and fractions tested expressed activity against Prevotella intermedia. On the other hand, none of them exhibited antibacterial effect against Streptococcus agalactiae. The solution used in Brazilian traditional medicine showed inhibitory activity against microorganisms isolated from acute and chronic sinusitis patients. This study demonstrates the promising antibacterial activity of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. against bacteria responsible for acute and chronic sinusitis and validates its use for the first time.

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith is an aromatic plant that is distributed widely in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In Brazil, where A. zerumbet is called “colonia”, it is used widely in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including hypertension. In the present study, the antinociceptive effects of the orally administered essential oil of A. zerumbet (EOAz) were evaluated in male Swiss mice (20–25 g each). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, EOAz (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg body wt.; n = 10 , n = 13 and n = 15 , respectively) was effective at all doses. In the hot-plate test, EOAz significantly increased the latency at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg body wt., but not at 30 mg/kg body wt., at all observation times up to the 180th min ( n = 10 for each dose). In the formalin test, EOAz significantly reduced paw licking time in the second phase of the test at 100 mg/kg body wt. ( n = 10 ), but decreased it in both phases at 300 mg/kg body wt. ( n = 10 ). At 30 mg/kg body wt., the effect of EOAz did not differ from control values in either phase of the formalin test ( n = 10 ). Pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) caused a significant reversal of the analgesic effect of 300 mg/kg body wt. EOAz ( n = 8 ) that was complete for the first phase, but only partial for the second phase of the formalin test. The data show that orally administered OEAz promotes a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect, with a mechanism of action which probably involves the participation of opiate receptors.

Foi realizado o estudo da anatomia foliar de Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt & Smith, espécie da família Zingiberaceae, coletada no Horto Botânico da Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. A espécie é vulgarmente conhecida como colônia, destacando-se pela beleza de suas inflorescências e pelo valor medicinal que lhe é atribuído. O presente estudo tem como objetivo fornecer dados que possam contribuir para a compreensão das características morfológicas da espécie e da taxonomia da família. Anatomicamente a folha apresenta organização dorsiventral do mesofilo, caráter não peculiar à maioria das monocotiledôneas, e pela ocorrência de células oleíferas dispersas no mesofilo e na epiderme da face abaxial. A folha é anfiestomática e apresenta hipoderme em ambas as faces. It was accomplished a study of the foliar anatomy of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt & Smith, Zingiberaceae family collected at Horto Botânico of Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. This species is vulgarly known as "colônia" and is distinguished by its beautiful inflorescence and medicinal value. The main objective of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the morphological characteristics of this species as well its family taxonomy. Anatomically, the leaf presents a dorsiventral organization of the mesophyll, disaccording with most monocotyledonous. Another remarkable aspect is the presence of scattered oil cells throughout the mesophyll and abaxial surface of the leaf. The leaf is amphistomatic and presents hypodermis on both sides.

The present study investigated the hypotensive responses to intravenous (i.v.) treatment with the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAZ) and its main constituent, terpinen-4-ol (Trp-4-ol), in the experimental model of deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rat. In both DOCA-salt hypertensive and uninephrectomized, normotensive rats, i.v. bolus injections of EOAZ (1-20 mg/kg) or Trp-4-ol (1-10 mg/kg) decreased mean aortic pressure (MAP) in a dose-related manner. However, hypotensive responses to Trp-4-ol were significantly greater than those evoked by the same doses of EOAZ (1-10 mg/kg). Treatment with DOCA-salt significantly enhanced the maximal percentage decreases in MAP evoked by EOAZ or Trp-4-ol. Likewise, both maximal percentage and absolute decreases in MAP elicited by i.v. injection of the ganglion blocker, hexamethonium (30 mg/kg), were significantly greater in DOCA-salt hypertensive than in control rats. In DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, neither hexamethonium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) nor methylatropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) pretreatment affected the enhancement of EOAZ-induced hypotension. These results show that i.v. treatment with either EOAZ or Trp-4-ol dose-dependently decreases blood pressure in conscious DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, and this action is enhanced when compared with uninephrectomized controls. This enhancement could be related mainly to an increase in EOAZ-induced vascular smooth muscle relaxation rather than to enhanced sympathetic nervous system activity in this hypertensive model. The data further support our previous hypothesis that hypotensive effects of EOAZ are partially attributed to the actions of Trp-4-ol.

Alpinia species, used as ornamental plants and flavoring agents, are renowned for their therapeutic properties and their subsequent use in traditional medicines throughout the world. Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. is the most common Alpinia species encountered in Martinique. Several essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation of A. zerumbet flowers collected in various locations on the island at different seasons were analysed to evaluate the influence of the collection period and area on the EOs’ chemical compositions and to assess their bioactivity. A combination of GC/FID and GC-MS techniques was used to examine the volatile constituents, leading to the identification of a total of 71 components accounting for 97.8 to 99.3% of the respective total GC/FID areas: among them, nineteen compounds were characterized for the first time in A. zerumbet EOs. The antimicrobial activity of these EOs was assessed against 8 bacterial, yeast and fungal strains and 2 multi-resistant strains: some significant bacteriostatic and fungistatic activities of A. zerumbet flower oils were evidenced. Finally, an interesting insecticidal activity of the flower EO was highlighted for the first time against Aedes aegypti. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain without organic changes. The syndrome is frequently associated also with other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, dyspnea, depression and anxiety, resulting in a lower quality of health of life, that determines interest by patients complementary therapy with alternative medicine. Alpinia zerumbet studies demonstrated muscle relaxing action, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and anxiolytic.The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the topical use of bioproduct based essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet, in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. A clinical trial of type II, randomized, controlled for 8 weeks in 39 patients, all female, mean age 50.8 ± 2.44. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study, patients were divided into three groups: control group (n = 10) no treatment; essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet group (n = 10; mL/7Kg 0:05); and amytriptiline group (n = 19; 25 mg / day). The variables evaluated were: pain, depression, sleep quality, anxiety and quality of life through of specific questionnaires; levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1â, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-á, IL-2R); levels of some hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (total T3, total T4, IGF-1, GH, ACTH, norepinephrine, cortisol, epinephrine and dopamine), and serum biochemical parameters related to nociception (serotonin and 5 - HIAA).The results of the questionnaires in the group treated with OEAz had significantly lower scores compared to the control group for depression, quality of sleep and quality of life (p 0.05). There was a positive correlation between increased serum serotonin levels and improves sleep quality (r = 0.734, p = 0.038); and negative correlation between cortisol and quality of life (r = 0.5, p = 0.04) in the group treated with EOAz. We conclude that the EOAz significant improvement in sleep, depressive and quality of life symptoms, in addition to some clinical serum levels in fibromyalgia. A fibromialgia e uma sindrome reumatica caracterizada por dor musculo-esqueletica generalizada sem alteracoes organicas demonstraveis. A sindrome tambem e frequentemente associada com outros sintomas, tais como, fadiga, disturbios do sono, rigidez matinal, dispneia, depressao e ansiedade, resultando em uma baixa qualidade de vida, determinando interesse por parte pacientes na medicina alternativa como complementar terapeutica. Estudos com Alpinia zerumbet demonstraram acao relaxante muscular, antiinflamatoria, antinociceptiva e ansiolitica. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos terapeuticos do uso topico do bioproduto a base do oleo essencial da Alpinia zerumbet no tratamento de pacientes com a fibromialgia. Foi desenvolvido um ensaio clinico do tipo II, randomico, controlado, por 8 semanas em 39 pacientes, todas do genero feminino, com media de idade 50,8 }2,44. Apos preencherem os criterios de inclusao para o estudo, as pacientes foram divididas em tres grupos: Grupo Controle (n=10) sem tratamento; Grupo oleo essencial da Alpinia zerumbet (n=10; 0.05 mL/7Kg); e Grupo amitriptilina (n=19; 25 mg/dia). As variaveis avaliadas foram: dor, depressao, qualidade do sono, ansiedade e qualidade de vida por meio de questionarios especificos; niveis de citocinas pro-inflamatorias (IL-1 À, IL-6, IL-8, TNF- ¿, IL-2R); niveis de alguns hormonios do eixo hipotalamo-hipofise-adrenal (T3 total, T4 Total, IGF-1, GH, ACTH, noradrenalina, cortisol, adrenalina e dopamina), alem dos niveis sericos de parametros bioquimicos relacionados a nocicepcao (serotonina e 5-HIAA). Os resultados dos questionarios do grupo tratado com OEAz apresentaram, escores significativamente menores em relacao ao grupo controle para depressao, qualidade do sono e qualidade de vida (p 0,05). Houve correlacao positiva entre o aumento dos niveis sericos de serotonina e melhora na qualidade do sono (r = 0,734, p = 0,038); e correlacao negativa entre cortisol e qualidade de vida (r = 0,5; p = 0,04) no grupo tratado com EOAz. Conclui-se que o EOAz melhora significativa no sono, sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida, alem de alguns niveis sericos clinicos nas fibromialgicas.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-09-19T12:46:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Joao Carlos Cezar de Albuquerque Filho.pdf: 982636 bytes, checksum: 3185ad0ba94f3c3352de6adec6cd8275 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-19T12:46:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joao Carlos Cezar de Albuquerque Filho.pdf: 982636 bytes, checksum: 3185ad0ba94f3c3352de6adec6cd8275 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-11 Among the species of tropical flowers produced in Brazil, Alpinia species of the genus stand out as cut flowers, cut foliage and ornamental plants. Cultivars of Alpinia purpurata, known as Gingers, are cultivate as cut flowers for their productivity, beauty, postharvest durability, ease of marketing, transport and acceptance in national and international markets. The Alpinia zerumbet and Alpinia sanderae species are grow for cutting vegetation, due their decorative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Alpinia species to be used as cut flowers and foliage, cultivated in full sun condition and half-shade (50% of artificially shade condition). To observe the effect in the quality and production of these. We adopted the experimental design in a factorial arragment of 6 x 2 (six cultivars x two crop conditions) in A. purpurata and 2 x 2 (two cultivars x two crop conditions) to A. zerumbet and A. sanderae, with four replications. The cultivation in half-shade condition contributed positively the clump high, clump area, shoots numbers in the clump, length, weight of flowering stem and postharvest durability. The most productive cultivars were the Red and Pink Ginger and productivity feature should be prioritized in studies. Also, the crop conditions of 50% artificially shaded contributed positively the clump high, clump projection area in A. zerumbet and A. sanderae species. For the use of Alpinia as cut foliage was observed that cut leaves from A. zerumbet stems without inflorescences present more than 30 days of postharvest durability. Entre as espécies de flores tropicais produzidas no Brasil, espécies do gênero Alpinia destacam-se como flores, folhagens de corte e plantas ornamentais. As cultivares de Alpinia purpurata, conhecidas como Alpínias, são cultivadas como flores de corte pela sua produtividade, beleza, durabilidade pós-colheita, facilidade de comercialização, transporte e aceitação nos mercados nacional e internacional. As espécies Alpinia zerumbet e Alpinia sanderae apresentam potencial para uso como folhagem de corte devido ao efeito decorativo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de espécies do gênero Alpinia para uso na floricultura como flores e folhagens de corte, cultivadas a pleno sol ou meia sombra (50% de sombreamento), para verificar se há efeito na qualidade e na produção destas. Foi adotado o delineamento experimental em arranjo fatorial de 6 x 2 (seis cultivares x duas condições de cultivo) em A. purpurata e 2 x 2 (duas espécies x duas condições de cultivo) para A. zerumbet e A. sanderae, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, com análise variância conjunta. A meia sombra favoreceu a altura, área de projeção da copa e números de perfilhos emitidos nas touceiras, o comprimento, massa fresca e durabilidade pós-colheita das hastes florais colhidas. As cultivares de maior produtividade foram as Red e Pink Ginger e a característica de produtividade deve ser priorizadas em estudos. O cultivo a meia sombra também contribuiu para o aumento da altura e projeção das touceiras, das espécies A. zerumbet e A. sanderae. Para uso como folhagem de corte foi observado que as folhas de qualquer parte de hastes sem inflorescências de A. zerumbet apresentaram durabilidade pós-colheita superior a 30 dias.

Firesh leaves of Alpinia zerumbet and A. purpurata (Zingiberaceae) were collected in Rio de Janeiro city and subjected to hydrodistillation; their chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. These species are used as ornamental plants and in folk medicine. Variations in the leaf oils content and composition of A. zerumbet were found between April and August 2005. In April, the main constituents identiified in leaf oil of A. zerumbet were terpinen-7-al (40.5%) and sabinene hydrate (15.4%); in August, the major components identiified were terpinen-4-ol (29.4%) and 1,8-cineole (23.1%). Leaf oil of A. purpurata was rich in P-pinene (34.7%) and α-pinene (11.8%).

The volatile constituents of the leaves and flowers of Alpinia speciosa and Alpinia purpurata growing wild in North Brazil were analysed by GC–MS. The main constituents identified in the leaf oil of A. speciosa were limonene (25.1%), terpinen-4-ol (22.7%) and γ-terpinene (17.4%). The oil obtained from flowers of A. speciosa was dominated by 1,8-cineole (23.1%), terpinen-4-ol (20.4%) and sabinene (14.5%). The major components identified in the leaf oil of A. purpurata were 1,8-cineole (21.8%), β-pinene (15.3%) and (E)-methyl cinnamate (12.9%). The oil obtained from flowers of A. purpurata was dominated by β-pinene (27.8%) and α-pinene (16.9%). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background The fruits and seeds of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd., Alpinia katsumadai Hayata, Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. & Smith, Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep., Amomum subulatum Roxb., Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire, and Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton from Alpinia, Amomum, and Elettaria genera in the Zingiberaceae family are difficult to distinguish between each other. This study aims to identify the seeds of these seven species from Zingiberaceae family based on comparative anatomy of microscopic characteristics. Methods We compared the morphological structures of seed coats by observing the microscopic characteristics of seeds in transverse sections. We described the macroscopic characteristics of seeds in detail. Results The seeds of these three genera could not be identified to the species level based on their macroscopic features. However, based on the anatomical features of the seed coat observed in transverse sections, a dichotomous key for these seven species was feasible. Conclusion Seven species in the Zingiberaceae family could be identified based on comparative anatomy of microscopic characteristics of transverse section of seed.

This study found that fruit shells of shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) are a rich source of the kavalactones dihydro-5,6-dehydrokavain (DDK) and 5,6-dehydrokavain (DK). The fruit shell extraction with hexane resulted in good purity and higher yields of DDK and DK than did chloroform, ethanol, 10% ethanol, methanol or water. Additionally, this study examined the neuroprotective effects of DDK and DK against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells and the possible molecular mechanisms involved. 16 h after stimulation with 400 μM H2O2, the viability (MTT reduction) of PC12 cells decreased while membrane damage (LDH release) was noticeably increased. However, pretreatment for 6 h with DDK and DK (1 μM, 5 μM, 10 μM and 50 μM) rescued PC12 cells from H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, as evidenced by decreased LDH release and increased cell viability. DDK and DK inhibit the MAPK family member p38, activate AKT, and reduce caspase-3 activity. DDK also reduced the oxidative status in H2O2-treated PC12 cells. Together, our data indicate that the A. zerumbet constituents, DDK and DK, exert a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced PC12 cell death and that the regulation of p-Akt and the p38 MAPK, and of oxidative states may be involved.

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burrt & R.M.Sm. Family Zingiberaceae is commonly known as shell ginger. It is used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties. It is also used for treatment of cardiovascular hypertension and as an antispasmodic agent. The preliminary phytochemical screening of rhizomes and leaves revealed the presence of volatile oil and flavonoids. The essential oil of the fresh leaves and rhizomes was obtained by hydro-distillation. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of many compounds qualitatively. 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol were identified as major compounds in the essential oil of leaves and rhizomes respectively. In vitro monolayer of rat hepatocytes revealed that the LC50 of the aqueous extract of dried rhizome powder was more than 1000 µg/ml and that of the total methanolic extract of dried rhizome was 500 – 750 µg/ml in concentration compared to the control cells. At the same time the hepatoprotective activity on monolayer hepatocytes for aqueous extract was100 µg/ml and for the methanolic extract was 25 – 50 µg/ml in concentration. On the other hand the in in vitro cytotoxicity study showed that the aqueous extract exerted toxicity on U937 cells at a concentration of 100 µg/ml while it was safe on PBMC cells. For the cytotoxicity of the methanolic extract, it was safe on both U937 and PBMC cells till 100 µg/ml in concentration. References: [1] Egyptian Pharmacopoeia, English text, 3rd Ed., University Press, Cairo, (1984). [2] Finar, I. L.; "Organic Chemistry", 6th Ed., Longman group Ltd., England, 445 (1973). [3] Adams, R. P.; "Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy", Allured Publishing Corp., Carol Stream, Illinois, U.S.A., (1995).

Phytotherapy can be an alternative for the control of gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants. This study evaluated the efficacy of Alpinia zerumbet, Coriandrum sativum, Tagetes minuta and Lantana camaraessential oils by two in vitro assays on Haemonchus contortus, an egg hatch test (EHT) and larval development test (LDT). No effect was observed for L. camara in the EHT. A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta essential oils exhibited a dose-dependent effect in the EHT, inhibiting 81.2, 99 and 98.1% of H. contortus larvae hatching, respectively, at a concentration of 2.5 mg mL-1. The effective concentration to inhibit 50% (EC50) of egg hatching was 0.94, 0.63 and 0.53 mg mL-1 for A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta essential oils, respectively. In LDT, L. camara, A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta at concentration of 10 mg mL-1 inhibited 54.9, 94.2, 97.8 and 99.5% of H. contortus larval development, presenting EC50 values of 6.32, 3.88, 2.89 and 1.67 mg mL-1, respectively. Based on the promising results presented in this in vitro model, it may be possible use of these essential oils to control gastrointestinal nematodes. However, their anthelmintic activity should be confirmed in vivo. Fitoterapia pode ser uma alternativa para o controle de parasitas gastrintestinais de pequenos ruminantes. Este estudo avaliou a eficácia dos óleos essenciais de Alpinia zerumbet, Coriandrum sativum, Tagetes minuta e Lantana camara sobre Haemonchus contortus através de dois testes in vitro, teste de eclosão dos ovos (TEO) e teste de desenvolvimento larval (TDL). Nenhum efeito foi observado para L. camara no TEO. Os óleos essenciais de A. zerumbet, C. sativum e T. minuta exibiram um efeito dose dependente no TEO inibindo a eclosão das larvas de H. contortusem 81,2, 99 e 98,1%, respectivamente, na concentração de 2,5 mg mL-1. A concentração efetiva para inibir 50% (CE50) da eclosão dos ovos foi de 0,94, 0,63 e 0,53 mg mL-1 para os óleos essenciais de A. zerumbet, C. sativum e T. minuta, respectivamente. No TDL, 10 mg mL-1 de L. camara, A. zerumbet, C. sativum e T. minuta inibiram em 54,9, 94,2, 97,8 e 99,5% do desenvolvimento larvar, apresentando valores de CE50 de 6,32, 3,88, 2,89 e 1,67 mg mL-1, respectivamente. Com base nos resultados promissores apresentados neste modelo in vitro, pode ser possível a utilização destes óleos essenciais para controlar os nematoides gastrintestinais. No entanto, a sua atividade anti-helmíntica deve ser confirmada in vivo.

A new labdane-type diterpene, named zerumin, was isolated from the seeds of the Chinese medicinal plant, Alpinia zerumbet. The structure was elucidated by NMR spectroscopic methods including heteronuclear multiple-bond multiple-quantum coherence (HMBC).

Submitted by Pós graduação Farmácia (ppgfar@ufba.br) on 2017-05-25T20:34:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CARDOSO DCN 2012.pdf: 5029488 bytes, checksum: 9dfedc859d7017ae4ca4a342f5ce7a8f (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Patricia Barroso (pbarroso@ufba.br) on 2017-06-01T17:35:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CARDOSO DCN 2012.pdf: 5029488 bytes, checksum: 9dfedc859d7017ae4ca4a342f5ce7a8f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T17:35:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CARDOSO DCN 2012.pdf: 5029488 bytes, checksum: 9dfedc859d7017ae4ca4a342f5ce7a8f (MD5) FAPESB As plantas medicinais são os mais antigos recursos terapêuticos utilizados pelo homem e nas últimas décadas tem retomado grande evidência. Em virtude do avanço científico está sendo possível cumprir com metas e diretrizes que orientam a inclusão de espécies vegetais como recursos terapêuticos. Dentre os diversos marcos legais produzidos no Brasil para a regulamentação do uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos. A RDC 10/10 dispõe sobre a notificação de espécies vegetais utilizadas terapeuticamente sob a forma de infusos decoctos e macerações, definidas como drogas vegetais. A disponibilidade de dados sobre uso alicerçado na tradição e a prospecção fitoquímica são condições que possibilitam a inclusão de espécies vegetais em suplementações da referida RDC 10/10. No estudo etnofarmacólogico a espécie A. zerumbet foi denominada lipurdina e a sua principal forma de consumo foi o uso oral do chá das suas folhas, para o tratamento de gripes, resfriados, catarro no peito, dor, hipertensão e como calmante. O trabalho fitoquímico permitiu o isolamento da substância 5,6-dehidrokavaina no extrato metanólico e em extrato originado da água residual do processo de destilação, demonstrando que a kava-lactona pode ser encontrada em chás produzidos com as folhas de A. zerumbet. A revisão da literatura associa o metabólito aos efeitos farmacológicos atribuídos à espécie. A técnica de cromatografia em camada delgada pode observar as bandas de 5,6-dehidrokavaína em sistema de eluição CH2Cl2/MeOH (97:3), revelada sob luz UV 254 nm, possibilitando sua utilização como padrão para a prospecção fitoquímica de A. zerumbet, de acordo com a RDC10/10. Pesquisando a etnofarmacologia e a fitoquímica de A. zerumbet e considerando os estudos farmacológicos, assim como, a legislação é possível indicar o uso do chá das suas folhas para o tratamento de problemas respiratórios, dor e como ansiolítico, respeitando-se as denominações locais e usos tradicionais, desde que observadas eficácia e segurança. O presente trabalho demonstra a importância da etnofarmacologia na proposta de padronização fitoquímica de uma droga vegetal, valorizando a complexidade da relação entre os conhecimentos tradicionais e acadêmicos na cadeia produtiva de plantas medicinais. Medicinal plants are the most ancient therapeutic resources ever used by man having in the last decades become widely proclaimed. By virtue of the scientific advancement is being possible to comply with goals and guidelines that guide the inclusion of vegetal species as therapeutic resources. Among the numerous and milestone legal facts produced in Brazil focused on the regulation use of medicinal plants and phytotherapic. RDC 10/10 regulates the notification of vegetal species therapeutically used by means of decoctions, infuses and macerations, defined as vegetal drugs. In the ethnopharmacological study, the species A. zerumbet was termed lipurdina and its main form of consumption was the oral use of the tea made out of its leafs, for influenza treatment, colds, chest catarrh, pain, hypertension and as a tranquilizer. The phytochemical research has allowed isolation the substance 5,6-dehydrokawain in the methanolic extract and in extract originated from the residual water of the distillation process, demonstrating that the kawa-lactone can be found in teas produced with A. zerumbet leafs. The literature´s revision associates the metabolite to the pharmacological effects attributed to the species. The chromatography technique in thin layer can observe the 5,6-dehydrokawain bands in elution system CH2Cl2/MeOH (97:3), revealed under UV light 254 nm, making possible their use as a standard for phytochemical prospection of A. zerumbet, according to the RDC 10/10. Researching the ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry of A. zerumbet and considering the pharmacological studies and legislation is possible state what use tea of their leaves to treat respiratory problems, pain and as anxiolytic respecting local names and traditional uses, provided that observed safety and efficacy. The present work demonstrate the importance of the ethnopharmacology in the proposed phytochemical standardization of a plant drug, valuing the complexity of the relationship between traditional and academic knowledge in the production chain of the medicinal plants.

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the principal risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we used several methods to investigate the ability of the acetone extract from rhizomes, stems, leaves, flowers, pericarps and seeds of Alpinia zerumbet to inhibit atherosclerosis in vitro. The seed extract had the strongest activity against tyrosinase, pancreatic lipase (PL), 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and LDL oxidation activities (IC50 = 2.30 ± 0.02, 5.00 ± 0.07, 1.29 ± 0.07 and 15.40 ± 0.86 g/mL, respectively), amongst all different parts. It also had similar effects to the positive controls. Most of the extracts showed partial agonistic properties towards estrogenic activity. Cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione, a steroid present only in the seed extract seems to be the compound responsible for these activities. The results showed that cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione had similar ability to curcumin and quercetin against PL and LDL oxidation (IC50 = 19.50 ± 1.17 and 16.12 ± 1.43 g/mL, respectively). Furthermore, cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione (IC50 = 34.21 ± 1.31 g/mL) had higher inhibition against 15-LO than quercetin (IC50 = 54.79 ± 1.12 g/mL).

CAPES Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. planta originária da Ásia, pertence a família Zingiberaceae e é freqüentemente usada pela população como antihihipertensiva, diurética e antitérmica. A espécie possui em sua composição química metabólitos como terpenos, flavonóides e cumarinas. As cumarinas, objeto de estudo comparativo neste trabalho, possuem propriedades antimicrobiana, antiinflamatória e antioxidante comprovadas, como também um grande potencial tóxico para o fígado, a pele e mucosas. Devido a sua toxidez, o uso de cumarina por via oral foi restringido ou suspenso em diversos países tais como Australia, Belgica e Estados Unidos. O intenso uso de A. zerumbet motivou o estudo comparativo entre as atividades biológicas da espécie relacionando-as com as quantidades de cumarinas presentes nos extratos brutos e frações produzidas a partir do rizoma da planta coletada no Laboratório de Fitoterapia – IPA. As cumarinas utilizadas como padrão foram a 1,2-benzopirona, a cianocumarina e a cumarina ácida. A primeira foi adquirida da Sigma-Aldrich e as demais foram sintetizadas a partir da malononitrila e salicialaldeido. Os extratos brutos e frações foram produzidos com solventes de diferentes polaridades. As ações antimicrobianas e citotóxicas foram comparadas com as atividades obtidas para as três cumarinas testes e relacionadas ao teor de cumarinas presentes nos extratos brutos e frações. As extrações foram realizadas por decocção, turbólise, soxhlet e maceração, sendo este último, o melhor método para extração de cumarinas. A presença de cumarinas foi determinada por Cromatografia em Camada Delgada - CCD e a quantificação nos extratos e frações foram realizadas por espectrofotometria. A avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana foi feita pelo método de difusão em ágar (disco) frente a nove microrganismos testes da coleção de microrganismo do Departamento de Antibióticos da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. A atividade citotóxica foi avaliada pelo método do MTT frente três linhagens celulares. Os resultados mostram que tanto a atividade antimicrobiana como a atividade citotóxica de todos os extratos e frações se mostraram mais ativos quanto maiores os teores de cumarina neles presentes. Os microrganismos mais sensíveis foram os gram-positivos, álcool-ácido resistente e a levedura C. albicans. Nos testes de atividade citotóxica as linhagens mais sensíveis aos extratos foram as linhagens HT-29 e NCI-H292. Podemos concluir que houve correlação entre a presença de cumarina e a ação antimicrobiana e citotóxica dos extratos brutos e frações, porem, essa correlação foi mais acentuada para os ensaios de citotoxicidade. Isto sugere que a ingestão oral e uso tópico da A. zerumbet, tal como é feito pela população, não está isenta de risco mesmo considerando que a presença de cumarina foi maior nos extratos produzidos com solventes de polaridade moderada.

Background The skin is chronically exposed to endogenous and environmental pro-oxidant agents, leading to the harmful generation of reactive oxygen species. Antioxidant is vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage cause by free radicals induce oxidative stress. Alpinia zerumbet, a traditionally important economic plant in Okinawa, contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health promoting properties. In this regard, we carried out to test the inhibitory effect of crude extracts and isolated compounds from A. zerumbet on antioxidant and skin diseases-related enzymes. Methods The antioxidant activities were examined by DPPH, ABTS and PMS-NADH radical scavenging. Collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase and tyrosinase were designed for enzymatic activities to investigate the inhibitory properties of test samples using a continuous spectrophotometric assay. The inhibitory capacity of test samples was presented at half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Results The results showed that aqueous extract of the rhizome was found to have greater inhibitory effects than the others on both of antioxidant and skin diseases-related enzymes. Furthermore, 5,6-dehydrokawain (DK), dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK) and 8(17),12-labdadiene-15,16-dial (labdadiene), isolated from rhizome, were tested for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitions. We found that DK showed higher inhibitory activities on DPPH, ABTS and PMS-NADH scavenging (IC50 = 122.14 ± 1.40, 110.08 ± 3.34 and 127.78 ± 4.75 μg/ml, respectively). It also had stronger inhibitory activities against collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase and tyrosinase (IC50 = 24.93 ± 0.97, 19.41 ± 0.61, 19.48 ± 0.24 and 76.67 ± 0.50 μg/ml, respectively) than DDK and labdadiene. Conclusion Our results indicate that the rhizome aqueous extract proved to be the source of bioactive compounds against enzymes responsible for causing skin diseases. Moreover, DK could be used as a potent inhibitor and be further exploited to be used in anti-skin disease formulations.