Chapter 22 - Siphonochilus aethiopicus

Abstract

Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L.Burtt (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as ‘African ginger’ or ‘wild ginger’, is a deciduous plant with large leaves that develop annually from a small cone-shaped rhizome. This aromatic plant, with spectacular pink flowers, can grow to a height of about 60 cm. The rhizomes have a distinct fragrance when crushed. Although the plant is critically endangered in South Africa, it is widely distributed in other African countries. The fresh or dried rhizomes have been used by native South African tribes for many years to treat fever, coughs, colds, influenza, hysteria, headache, toothache, stomach pain, asthma and menstrual cramps. The plant is one of the most traded medicinal plants in South Africa, and its first commercial product was produced two decades ago. In vitro and in vivo studies showed promising results, including antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and bronchodilator effects. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), semi-automated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) were used to determine the chemical profiles of the volatile and non-volatile constituents of the rhizomes. Siphonochilone, 1,8-cineole, cis-allo-ocimene and (E)-β-ocimene were identified as major compounds in the oil as determined by GC–MS, while 9aβ-hydroxy-4aαH-3,5α,8aβ-trimethyl-4,4a,8a,9-tetrahydronaphtho([2,3-b]-dihydrofuran-2-one)-8-one and 2-hydroxy-4aαH-3,5α,8aβ-trimethyl-4,4a,8a,9-tetrahydronaphtho-[2,3-b]furan-8-one were identified as major non-volatile constituents from the hydromethanolic extract using UPLC–MS.