An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Tengger tribe in Ngadisari village, Indonesia.

The people of Tengger, Indonesia have used plants as traditional medicine for a long time. However, this local knowledge has not been well documented until recently. Our study aims to understand the utilization of plants in traditional medicine by the people of Tengger, who inhabit the Ngadisari village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency, Indonesia. We conducted semi-structured and structured interviews with a total of 52 informants that represented 10% of the total family units in the village. The parameters observed in this study include species use value (SUV), family use value (FUV), plant part use (PPU), and the relative frequency of citation that was calculated based on fidelity level (FL). We successfully identified 30 species belonging to 28 genera and 20 families that have been used as a traditional medicine to treat 20 diseases. We clustered all the diseases into seven distinct categories. Among the recorded plant families, Poaceae and Zingiberaceae were the most abundant. Plant species within those families were used to treat internal medical diseases, respiratory-nose, ear, oral/dental, and throat problems. The plant species with the highest SUV was Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (1.01), whereas the Aloaceae family (0.86) had the highest FUV. Acorus calamus L. (80%) had the highest FL percentage. The leaves were identified as the most used plant part and decoction was the dominant mode of a medicinal preparation. Out of the plants and their uses documented in our study, 26.7% of the medicinal plants and 71.8% of the uses were novel. In conclusion, the diversity of medicinal plant uses in the Ngadisari village could contribute to the development of new plant-based drugs and improve the collective revenue of the local society.

Identification and Monitoring of Amomi Fructus and its Adulterants Based on DNA Barcoding Analysis and Designed DNA Markers.

Amomi Fructus is one of the traditional medicines derived from the ripe fruits of the Zingiberaceae family of plants, which include Amomum villosum, A. villosum var. xanthioides, and A. longiligulare. Owing to their highly similar morphological traits, several kinds of adulterants of Amomi Fructus have been reported. Therefore, accurate and reliable methods of identification are necessary in order to ensure drug safety and quality. We performed DNA barcoding using five regions (ITS, matK, rbcL, rpoB, and trnL-F intergenic spacer) of 23 Amomi Fructus samples and 22 adulterants. We designed specific DNA markers for Amomi Fructus based on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ITS. Amomi Fructus was well separated from the adulterants and was classified with the species of origin based on the detected SNPs from the DNA barcoding results. The AVF1/ISR DNA marker for A. villosum produced a 270 bases amplified product, while the ALF1/ISF DNA marker produced a 350 bases product specific for A. longiligulare. Using these DNA markers, the monitoring of commercially distributed Amomi Fructus was performed, and the monitoring results were confirmed by ITS analysis. This method identified samples that were from incorrect origins, and a new species of adulterant was also identified. These results confirmed the accuracy and efficiency of the designed DNA markers; this method may be used as an efficient tool for the identification and verification of Amomi Fructus.

Recent Advances in Kaempferia Phytochemistry and Biological Activity: A Comprehensive Review.

BACKGROUND: Plants belonging to the genus Kaempferia (family: Zingiberaceae) are distributed in Asia, especially in the southeast region, and Thailand. They have been widely used in traditional medicines to cure metabolic disorders, inflammation, urinary tract infections, fevers, coughs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases. OBJECTIVE: Herein, we reported a comprehensive review, including the traditional applications, biological and pharmacological advances, and phytochemical constituents of Kaempheria species from 1972 up to early 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the information and reported studies concerning Kaempheria plants were summarized from library and digital databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Sci-finder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, Web of Science, etc.). The correlation between the Kaempheria species was evaluated via principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), based on the main chemical classes of compounds. RESULTS: Approximately 141 chemical constituents have been isolated and reported from Kaempferia species, such as isopimarane, abietane, labdane and clerodane diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenyl-heptanoids, curcuminoids, tetrahydropyrano-phenolic, and steroids. A probable biosynthesis pathway for the isopimaradiene skeleton is illustrated. In addition, 15 main documented components of volatile oils of Kaempheria were summarized. Biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-obesity-induced dermatopathy, wound healing, neuroprotective, anti-allergenic, and anti-nociceptive were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Up to date, significant advances in phytochemical and pharmacological studies of different Kaempheria species have been witnessed. So, the traditional uses of these plants have been clarified via modern in vitro and in vivo biological studies. In addition, these traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. and comparison analysis within the Zingiberaceae family.

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. (A. oxyphylla) is an important edible and traditional herbal medicine. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. oxyphylla was sequenced, analysed, and compared to five species in the Zingiberaceae family. The size of the A. oxyphylla chloroplast genome was 161351 bp, which consisted of a large single-copy (LSC, 87248 bp) and small single-copy (SSC, 16175 bp) region separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb, 28964 bp each). The genome encoded 132 unique genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs and four rRNAs. The GC content of the genome was 36.17%. A total of 53 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 80 long repeats were identified in the A. oxyphylla chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genome of A. oxyphylla shared the highest sequence similarity of >90% with the chloroplast genome of A. zerumbet, and six chloroplast genomes in the Zingiberaceae family were compared by using CGView Comparison Tool (CCT). According to the phylogenetic tree, the Zingiberaceae family is divided into two categories, which coincide with the classification of the characteristics of sun-like and shade-like in plants. Our results reveal the phototrophic component of NADH-dehydrogenase (ndhB and ndhC), photosystem II (psbZ) and ATP synthase (atpE, atpF) exhibit adaptive evolution under different environments, and the strength of light is an important trigger for the adaptations at the chloroplast level.

Evaluation of suitable DNA regions for molecular identification of high value medicinal plants in genus Kaempferia.

DNA barcoding coupled high resolution melting (Bar-HRM) is an emerging method for species discrimination based on DNA dissociation kinetics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of different primer sets, derived from selected DNA regions, for Bar-HRM analysis of species in Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae). Four primer pairs were evaluated (rbcL, rpoC, trnL and ITS1). It was observed that the ITS1 barcode was the most useful DNA barcoding region overall for species discrimination out of all of the regions and primers assessed. Thus, the primer pair derived from the ITS1 region was the single most effective region for the identification of the tested species, whereas the rbcL primer pair gave the lowest resolution. Our Bar-HRM developed here would not only be useful for identification of Kaempferia plant specimens lacking essential parts for morphological identification but will be useful for authenticating products in powdered form of a high value medicinal species Kaempferia parviflora, in particular.

Morphological analysis of vessel elements for systematic study of three Zingiberaceae tribes.

Zingiberaceae containing over 1,000 species that are divided into four subfamilies and six tribes. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of studies about vessel elements in families of monocotyledon. However, there are still few studies of Zingiberaceae tribes. This study aims to establish systematic significance of studying vessel elements in two subfamilies and three tribes of Zingiberaceae. The vegetative organs of 33 species processed were analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy and Principal Component Analysis was used to elucidate genera boundaries. Characteristics of vessel elements, such as the type of perforation plate, the number of bars and type of parietal thickening, are proved to be important for establishing the relationship among taxa. Scalariform perforation plate and the scalariform parietal thickening are frequent in Zingiberaceae and may be a plesiomorphic condition for this taxon. In the Principal Component Analysis, the most significant characters of the vessel elements were: simple perforation plates and partially pitted parietal thickening, found only in Alpinieae tribe, and 40 or more bars composing the plate in Elettariopsis curtisii, Renealmia chrysotricha, Zingiber spectabile, Z. officinale, Curcuma and Globba species. Vessel elements characters of 18 species of Alpinieae, Zingibereae and Globbeae were first described in this work.

Comparative Effects of Alkaloid Extracts from Aframomum melegueta (Alligator Pepper) and Aframomum danielli (Bastered Melegueta) on Enzymes Relevant to Erectile Dysfunction.

Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper (AP)) and Aframomum danielli (bastered melegueta (BM)) seeds have been known to improve sexual function in folkloric medicine. This study investigates the effects of AP and BM seeds' alkaloid extracts on the activities of enzymes (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), and arginase) relevant to erectile dysfunction (ED). Alkaloids from the seeds were prepared by the solvent extraction method and their interactions with AChE, ACE, PDE-5, and arginase were assessed. Gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of the extracts were also performed. The results revealed that the extracts inhibited the enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. However, alkaloid extract from AP seed had higher AChE (IC50 = 5.42 µg/mL) and ACE (IC50 = 12.57 µg/mL) but lower PDE-5 (IC50 = 33.80 µg/mL) and arginase (IC50 = 31.36 µg/mL) inhibitory effects when compared to that of BM extract (AChE, IC50 = 42.00; ACE, IC50 = 60.67, PDE-5, IC50 = 7.24; and arginase, IC50 = 2.53 µg/mL). The GC analyses revealed the presence of senkirkine, angustifoline, undulatine, myristicin, safrole, lupanine, powelle, and indicine-N-oxide, among others. The inhibition of these enzymes could be the possible mechanisms by which the studied seeds were being used in managing ED in folklores. Nevertheless, the seed of AP exhibited higher potentials.

Research progress in phytochemistry and biology of Aframomum species.

CONTEXT: The African genus Aframomum (Zingiberaceae) is a group of diverse tropical plants frequently collected yet largely neglected taxonomically. The current and unprecedented loss of species due to man-made habitat destruction and climate change adds a desperate urgency not only to understand the phylogenetics, chemotaxonomy and biology, but also to preserve the quickly disappearing species. OBJECTIVES: The present systematic review reports on the research progress in phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Aframomum species. METHODOLOGY: Scientific databases such as MedSci, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Knowledge were used to retrieve publications (from the year 1990 to 2014) related to Aframomum plants, isolated compounds and their bioactivity, phytochemistry and toxicology. The keywords combinations for the search were: Aframomum; chemotaxonomy, phylogenetics, pharmacology and bioactive metabolites and toxicology. A total of 71 research articles that report on the biological activity of extracts and chemical constituents were recovered and presented in this review. RESULTS: Most published data related to the potential of Aframomum melegueta, a medicinal plant from West and Central Africa. The potential of phenols and terpenoids isolated from Aframomum plants were generally much better documented than that of arylalkanoids. CONCLUSION: Aframomum genus represents an enormous resource for novel compounds with a range of medicinal properties. However, these plants are under-researched and their conservation is poor. To unravel their full potential, efforts should be strengthened throughout the continent to establish the taxonomy, preserve the genus and explore novel medicinal properties.

Total anti-oxidant capacity, flavonoid, phenolic acid and polyphenol content in ten selected species of Zingiberaceae rhizomes.

BACKGROUND: Natural products such as herbs, fruits, spices, beverages, vegetables are becoming more popular among scientific community and consumers because of their potential to arrest the effect of free radicals in human system. This study determined the total antioxidant capacity of ten selected species of Zingiberaceae (Ginger) used as spices and for medicinal purposes in Southeast Asia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol was used as the extraction solvent, 2,2 - diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) for free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Phenolic compounds were measured using Total flavonoid, Phenolic acid and Polyphenols content assay to evaluate the quality of the antioxidant capacity of the rhizomes and vitamin C as positive control. RESULTS: The results obtained revealed that Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale had the highest free radical scavenging capacity of 270.07mg/TE/g DW and 266.95mg/TE/g DW and FRAP assay, Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale also gave the highest ferric reducing power of 231.73mg/TE/g DW and 176.26mg/TE/g DW respectively. For Phenolic compounds, Curcuma longa and Curcuma xanthorrhiza gave the highest values of flavonoid (741.36mg/NGN/g DW and 220.53mg/NGN/g DW), phenolic acid (42.71mg/GAE/g DW and 22.03mg/GAE/g DW) and polyphenols (39.38mg/GAE/g DW and 38.01mg/GAE/g DW) respectively. Significant and positive linear correlations were found between Total antioxidant capacity and Phenolic compounds (R = 0.65 - 0.96). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that extracts of Zingiberaceae (Ginger) rhizomes are a potential source of natural antioxidants and could serve as basis for future drugs and food supplements.

Produção de mudas de Etlingera elatior (Jack) R. M. Sm. através da cultura de tecidos vegetais in vitro / Etlingera elatior seedling production through in vitro tissue culture

O uso de produtos naturais para o tratamento de doenças é algo que o ser humano já está habituado a realizar desde o início dos tempos. A utilização de Etlingera elatior (Bastão do Imperador), uma herbácea muito comum nos jardins e em áreas de banhado, para o tratamento de dores musculares e reumatismo é citada pela cultura popular, o que incentivou a indústria farmacêutica a começar a investir nos estudos sobre sua atividade. Porém, a produção de biomassa através de plantas sadias e de alta qualidade ainda é incipiente. O uso da biotecnologia vegetal, especialmente a propagação vegetativa in vitro, permite a produção em larga escala de mudas e/ou biomassa vegetal, de alta qualidade genética e fitossanitária, em curto espaço de tempo e pequena área física. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de agentes desinfestantes na obtenção de explantes assépticos, da composição do meio de cultura e do seccionamento do rizoma no desenvolvimento, multiplicação e enraizamento das plantas in vitro, visando estabelecer o processo de micropropagação. Gemas laterais foram submetidas à desinfestação com etanol e hipoclorito de cálcio e de sódio. Os rizomas assépticos foram seccionados longitudinalmente e multiplicados em meio de cultura MS adicionado de BAP (0,0; 1,0 e 2,0 mg L-1). O estabelecimento das culturas assépticas a partir do uso de etanol 70 por cento, NaClO 1 por cento e CaClO 2 e 5 por cento proporcionaram de 10 a 40 por cento de sobrevivência dos explantes. A taxa de multiplicação obtida nos rizomas, inteiros e seccionados longitudinalmente e cultivados em meio MS, não apresentou diferença significativa para o número de brotos. Já o cultivo do rizoma seccionado em meio MS adicionado de 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP resultou em aumento significativo no número de brotos em relação a rizoma inteiro na mesma concentração de BAP. As plantas cultivadas na presença de BAP apresentaram redução do número de raízes a partir de rizomas inteiros. Apesar do efeito do seccionamento do rizoma e da concentração de BAP, no número de brotos e raízes, as plantas não mostraram diferença no crescimento da planta e das raízes. A micropropagação da espécie Etlingera elatior é possível, possibilitando a produção de mudas em larga escala.

The use of natural products to treat diseases has been common for humans since the beginning of times. Etlingera elatior (torch ginger), an herbaceous species very common in gardens and muddy areas, has been cited by the popular culture as treatment for muscular pains and rheumatism, which has stimulated the pharmaceutical industry to start investing in studies on its activity. However, phytomass production by high-quality healthy plants is still incipient. The utilization of plant biotechnology, specially in vitro vegetative propagation, allows the large-scale production of seedlings and/or phytomass of high genetic and phytosanitary quality in a short time and small area. The aim of this work was to evaluate the action of disinfectant agents on the production of aseptic explants, as well as the effect of culture medium composition and rhizome splitting on the development, multiplication and rooting of plants in vitro in order to establish the micropropagation process. Lateral buds were disinfected with ethanol and calcium and sodium hypochlorite. Aseptic rhizomes were longitudinally sectioned and multiplied in MS culture medium containing BAP (0.0, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1). The establishment of aseptic cultures by using 70 percent ethanol, 1 percent NaClO and 1 percent and 5 percent CaClO resulted in 10 to 40 percent explant survival. The multiplication rate obtained for whole and longitudinally sectioned rhizomes cultivated in MS medium did not present significant difference for sprout number. However, sectioned rhizome cultivated in MS medium added of 1.0 mg L-1 BAP had a significant increase in sprout number, relative to whole rhizomes at the same BAP concentration. In the presence of BAP, there was a reduction in root number for whole rhizomes. Although rhizome splitting and BAP concentration affected sprout and root number, there was no difference in the growth of plants and roots. Thus, Etlingera elatior micropropagation is possible, allowing the large-scale production of seedlings.

Terpenoid compositions, and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the rhizome essential oils of different Hedychium species.

A phytochemical study of the rhizome essential oils of four different Hedychium species was performed by means of GC and GC/MS analyses. H. ellipticum mainly contained 1,8-cineole, sabinene, and terpin-4-ol, while H. aurantiacum possessed terpin-4-ol, para-cymene, and bornyl acetate as the major entities. Similarly, trans-meta-mentha-2,8-diene and linalool were noticed in H. coronarium. Three different collections (I-III) of H. spicatum showed amazing differences in the relative contents of their essential oils, 1,8-cineole and 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol being identified as markers for samples I and II, terpin-4-ol and sabinene being the major compounds in sample III. The rhizome essential oils of the above species were studied for their antioxidant activities by different methods, including their effect on the chelating properties of Fe(2+), DPPH radical-scavenging activity, and reducing power. Antimicrobial screenings of the oils by the paper-disc method were performed against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica enterica, and the respective minimum-inhibitory-concentration (MIC) values were determined. The rhizome essential oils from all Hedychium species exhibited moderate-to-good Fe(2+) chelating activity. H. spicatum from collection site III showed a completely different DPPH radical-scavenging profile than the samples from the other collection sites.

Soil fertility and the impact of exotic invasion on microbial communities in Hawaiian forests.

Exotic plant invasions into Hawaiian montane forests have altered many important nutrient cycling processes and pools. Across different ecosystems, researchers are uncovering the mechanisms involved in how invasive plants impact the soil microbial community-the primary mediator of soil nutrient cycling. We examined whether the invasive plant, Hedychium gardnerianum, altered microbial community composition in forests dominated by a native tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, under varying soil nutrient limitations and soil fertility properties within forest plots of the Hawaii long-term substrate age gradient (LSAG). Microbial community lipid analysis revealed that when nutrient limitation (as determined by aboveground net primary production [ANPP]) and soil fertility were taken into account, plant species differentially altered soil microbial community composition. Microbial community characteristics differed under invasive and native plants primarily when N or P was added to the older, highly weathered, P-limited soils. Long-term fertilization with N or P at the P-limited site led to a significant increase in the relative abundance of the saprophytic fungal indicator (18:2 omega 6c,9c) under the invasive plant. In the younger, N-limited soils, plant species played a minor role in influencing soil microbial community composition. We found that the general rhizosphere microbial community structure was determined more by soil fertility than by plant species. This study indicates that although the aggressive invasion of a nutrient-demanding, rapidly decomposable, and invasive plant into Hawaiian forests had large impacts on soil microbial decomposers, relatively little impact occurred on the overall soil microbial community structure. Instead, soil nutrient conditions were more important determinants of the overall microbial community structure within Hawaii's montane forests.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Zingiberaceae plants in Taiwan.

The rhizomes of the Zingiberaceae family are a vegetable widely used in many Asian countries, and their medicinal functions have been broadly discussed and accepted in many traditional recipes. In this study, 18 species of five genus of Zingiberaceae plants from Taiwan area were collected and analyzed for their functional properties. Methanolic extracts of the plants were analyzed for their total phenol compounds, alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, and reducing power. Antimicrobial activity of these samples was also determined. The results showed that the total phenol compounds of the Alpinia genus averaged 17, 30 mg/g for Curcumas, and the highest, 36.5 mg/g for Vanoverberghia sasakiana. Antioxidant performances were best observed in Vanoverberghia and Hedychium, both 89%, and DPPH scavenging activity followed similar trends. Particularly, Zingiber oligophyllum, considered as a traditional medicinal plant used in Taiwan exhibited low DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power. Most Zingiberaceae plant extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested food microorganisms. Hedychium and Vanoverberghia, did not show antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This study is a positive demonstration of the utility of screening Taiwan's endemic Zingiberaceous plants for their food and medicinal uses.

[ISSR-PCR analysis in different species and populations of Rhizoma Curcumae].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genetic diversity and genetic relationship in different species and populations of Curcuma by ISSR-PCR marker technique. METHOD: Eighty populations and 37 samples of Curcuma including C. phaeocaulis, C. kwangsiensis and C. wenyujin were studied by ISSR-PCR markers. The systematic diagram of Similar coefficient and genetic distance were set up by POPGEN32 software and clustered by UPGMA method. RESULT: A total of 65 loci were scored by 5 primers, among which 34 were polymorphic loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci was 52.3%. Genetic similarity coefficient changed from 0.6864 to 0.9997. Nei's gene diversity index (H), and Shannon information index (I) were 0.1521 and 0.2338. The inner genetic diversity of Curcuma species was lower than the outer. CONCLUSION: The genetic variation of different populations Curcuma was big. The inherited differentiation of inner populations was low. Different populations of Curcuma were related to character of species and geological distribution.

Studies on the molecular markers of rhizomes of some Alpinia species.

The rhizomes of Alpinia jianganfeng are used as a traditional Chinese medicine, Jian Gan Feng, to cure rheumatism in Guangdong, China. The rhizomes of some other species of the genus Alpinia such as A. japonica, A. suishaensis and A. nanchuanensis are also used as Jian Gan Feng in Southwest China. However, the identification of the original plants of the crude drugs is difficult. The internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S coding region of nuclear ribosomal DNA of the four species were sequenced and analyzed. The DNA markers have been determined and they can be used for the molecular identification of these medicinal plants.

[Analysis of Amomun villosum species and some adulterants of zingiberaceae by RAPD].

Different Amomum villosum Lour. species and some their adulterants of Zingiberaceae were researched using RAPD. The PCR indicates favourable differentiation of the reaction. The Amomum villosum Lour. species have the similar DNA fingerprints while it is obviously differ from adulterants. There are 12.17 percent of primers which appear polymorphism. We can identify different species according to these dissimilarity. We also construct the tree of the molecular evolution through NJ software, the hereditary distance of the graph shows different relationships between Amomum villosum Lour. species and their adulterants. The result created by software is analogous the traditional methods.

[X-ray diffraction Fourier Pattern Analysis of the Chinese materia medica "shannai" (Kaempferia Galanga L.)].

Every Chinese materia medica consists of dozens of ingredients. It is a multiingredient system. X-ray diffraction provides a way to determine Chinese materia medica in diffraction space which can reflect the general structural characteristics of Chinese materia medica and quantitative changes of partial ingredients. Considering the influence of varieties, growing places, growing periods, collecting seasons and other phenological factors, we selected 6 samples of Kaempferia galanga L. and Kaempferia marginata Carey, collected in different seasons from different growing places for X-ray diffraction Fourier Pattern Analysis. We have obtained characteristic peaks and diffraction fuzzy figures for distinguishing purposes. The result shows that X-ray diffraction Fourier Pattern Analysis can be used for distinguishing Chinese materia medica with similar shape and properties, similar tissue texture or similar chemical composition.