Abstract
Flavonoids make up one of the most pervasive groups of plant phenolics. Due to their importance in plants and human health, it would be useful to have a better understanding of flavonoid concentration and biological activities that could indicate their potentials as therapeutic agents, and also for predicting and controlling the quality of medicinal herbs. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a famous and widely used herb, especially in Asia, that contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health promoting properties. In this study, total flavonoids and some flavonoid components including quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol and naringenin were extracted from the leaves and rhizomes of two varieties of Zingiber officinale (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) at three different growth points (8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting), and analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method in order to determine the potential of the subterranean part of the young ginger. The results showed that Halia Bara had a higher content of flavonoids in the leaves and rhizomes as compared to Halia Bentong. In both varieties, the concentration of flavonoids in the leaves decreased (Halia Bentong, 42.3%; Halia Bara 36.7%), and in the rhizomes it increased (Halia Bentong 59.6%; Halia Bara 60.1%) as the growth period increased. Quercetin was abundant in both varieties. The antioxidant activity determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed high activities (65.7%) in the leaves of Halia Bara at 8 weeks after planting. Results suggested a good flavonoid content and antioxidant activity potential in ginger leaves at 8 weeks after planting. The leaves of these ginger varieties could be useful for both food flavourings and in traditional medicine.
Highlights
Plants and herbs consumed by humans may contain thousands of different phenolic acid and flavonoid components
Halia Bara) at three different growth points (8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting), and analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method in order to determine the potential of the subterranean part of the young ginger
High levels of Total flavonoids (TF) and total phenolic (TP) contents in the leaves in comparison with other parts of medicinal plants have been reported in previous studies
Summary
Plants and herbs consumed by humans may contain thousands of different phenolic acid and flavonoid components. Phenolic acids and flavonoids function as reducing agents, free radical scavengers, and quenchers of singlet oxygen formation [2]. Antioxidant compounds that scavenge free radicals help protect against degenerative diseases [3]. Phenolic components play important roles in the control of cancer and other human diseases. Flavonoids are a kind of natural antioxidant substances capable of scavenging free superoxide radicals, displaying anti-aging properties and reducing the risk of cancer. Ginger is an important horticultural crop in tropical Southeast Asia It produces a pungent, aromatic and bioactive rhizome that is valued all over the world either as a spice or herbal medicine. Ginger is a natural food component with many active phenolic compounds such as gingerol and shagaol, and it has been shown to have anti-cancer and antioxidant effects [11]. Gingerol may reduce nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy and may relieve migraines [12]
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