Quantitative analysis of methoxyflavones discriminates between the two types of Kaempferia parviflora.

INTRODUCTION: Kaempferia parviflora or black ginger is abundantly cultivated because its rhizomes contain methoxyflavones that have many pharmacological properties. K. parviflora can be divided into two types, based on morphological characteristics, but differences in their chemical compositions have never been explored. OBJECTIVES: This research aims to find chemical markers that can be used to differentiate between the two types of K. parviflora, the red-leaf and green-leaf types, by quantifying the amounts of methoxyflavones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: K. parviflora samples were collected from 39 locations in Thailand. Their genetic diversity was assessed by a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique to construct the population structure. Their chemical compositions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection to determine the methoxyflavone contents. RESULTS: The population structure based on >3,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers showed that the samples can be divided into two groups, which were consistent with the classification by leaf margin color (red-leaf and green-leaf types). HPLC analysis revealed 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF), 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (TMF), 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone as major methoxyflavones that can be used as chemical markers. The red-leaf type showed higher amounts of PMF, TMF and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone than the green-leaf type, while the green-leaf type showed higher amounts of DMF and 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone than the red-leaf type. CONCLUSION: These results provide another approach to discriminate the two types of K. parviflora using chemical profiles alongside genetic and morphological analyses. Therefore, a specific type of K. parviflora can be selected over the other based on preferences for a certain methoxyflavone.

Polymethoxyflavones from Kaempferia parviflora ameliorate skin aging in primary human dermal fibroblasts and ex vivo human skin.

Skin aging is accompanied by an increase in the number of senescent cells, resulting in various pathological outcomes. These include inflammation, impaired barrier function, and susceptibility to skin disorders such as cancer. Kaempferia parviflora (Thai black ginger), a medicinal plant native to Thailand, has been shown to counteract inflammation, cancer, and senescence. This study demonstrates that polymethoxyflavones (5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, and 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone) purified from K. parviflora rhizomes suppressed cellular senescence, reactive oxygen species, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype in primary human dermal fibroblasts. In addition, they increased tropocollagen synthesis and alleviated free radical-induced cellular and mitochondrial damage. Moreover, the compounds mitigated chronological aging in a human ex vivo skin model by attenuating senescence and restoring expression of essential components of the extracellular matrix, including collagen type I, fibrillin-1, and hyaluronic acid. Finally, we report that polymethoxyflavones enhanced epidermal thickness and epidermal-dermal stability, while blocking age-related inflammation in skin explants. Our findings support the use of polymethoxyflavones from K. parviflora as natural anti-aging agents, highlighting their potential as active ingredients in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products.

Redetermination of (E)-3-(anthracen-9-yl)-1-(2-hy-droxy-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The redetermined structure of title chalcone derivative, C(23)H(16)O(2), corrects errors in the title, scheme and synthesis in the previous report of the same structure [Jasinski et al. (2011 ▶). Acta Cryst. E67, o795]. There are two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit with slight differences in bond lengths and angles. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the anthracene ring system is 73.30 (4)° in one mol-ecule and 73.18 (4)° in the other. Both mol-ecules feature an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are arranged into sheets lying parallel to the ac plane and further stacked along the b axis by π-π inter-actions with centroid-centroid distances in the range 3.6421 (6)-3.7607 (6) Å. The crystal structure is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions. There are also C⋯O [3.2159 (15) Å] short contacts.

(Z)-3-(Anthracen-9-yl)-1-(2-eth-oxy-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The mol-ecule of the title chalcone, C(25)H(20)O(2), consisting of 2-eth-oxy-phenyl and anthracene rings bridged by a prop-2-en-1-one unit, is twisted and exists in the Z configuration with respect to the central C=C bond. The dihedral angle between the benzene and anthracene rings is 78.17 (9)°. The propene unit makes dihedral angles of 44.5 (2) and 81.1 (2)° with the benzene and anthracene rings, respectively. The eth-oxy substituent is almost coplanar with the attached benzene ring [C-O-C-C torsion angle = 178.57 (19)°]. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into chains along the a axis by weak C-H⋯O inter-actions. The crystal structure is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions.

(E)-3-(Anthracen-9-yl)-1-(2-bromo-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The mol-ecule of the title chalcone, C(23)H(15)BrO, is not planar and exists in the E configuration with respect to the central C=C bond. The dihedral angle between the benzene and anthracene rings is 83.58 (6)°. The prop-2-en-1-one bridge makes dihedral angles of 63.00 (7) and 42.62 (16)° with the benzene and anthracene rings, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into dimers by weak C-H⋯O inter-actions. These dimers are arranged parallel to the bc plane and are further stacked along the a axis by π-π inter-actions with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.7561 (9) Å. The crystal structure is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions.