A response surface methodology approach for optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from galangal (Alpinia officinarum)

The article discusses pathogenetic and clinical aspects of phytotherapy in patients with urolithiasis. Phytotherapy plays an important role in the treatment and metaphylaxis of uric acid nephrolithiasis. This is attributed to its efficacy and safety, including during long-term use. The article examines currently available herbal formulations with proven clinical efficacy. Herbal formulations used in patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis typically include components such as extracts of Java tea leaves (Orthosiphon stamineus), Alpinia officinarum, field horsetail, and the roots and rhizomes of Levisticum officinale. These plants are well known for their beneficial properties and have long been used in traditional medicine. The active ingredients of these herbal formulations, such as saponins, flavonoids, terpenes, fatty acids, phenolic glycosides, caffeic acid metabolites (rosmarinic and lithospermic acids), tannins, and vitamins (notably, ascorbic acid is present in all the products mentioned), have a significant impact on their therapeutic effect. The herbal formulations exhibit diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antispasmodic properties. The development of new, effective herbal formulations for the treatment of uric acid nephrolithiasis, as well as the study of their therapeutic mechanisms, remain highly relevant in modern urology.

Diarylheptanoid-flavanone adducts from Alpinia officinarum and their neuroprotective activities.

Alpinia officinarum, commonly referred to as lesser galangal, is a medicinal plant traditionally used in East Asian practices owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to isolate p-acetoxycinnamyl alcohol from A. officinarum and evaluate its effect on melanogenesis-related enzyme expression. p-Acetoxycinnamyl alcohol was successfully isolated and structurally characterized from A. officinarum using NMR spectroscopy. The compound’s skin-whitening potential was investigated through a combination of molecular docking simulations and in vitro assays using B16F10 melanoma cells. The results demonstrated that p-acetoxycinnamyl alcohol showed potent binding affinity and inhibited the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in melanocytes as shown by molecular docking simulations and in vitro assays. These findings indicate that p-acetoxycinnamyl alcohol has potential as a natural skin-whitening compound that controls melanogenic enzyme expression and functionality. The therapeutic potential of A. officinarum in functional cosmeceuticals and dermatological therapies emphasizes its pharmacognostical importance.

Investigating the active components and molecular mechanism of <i>alpinia officinarum hance</i> therapy against depression by network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with neuroprotective effects in PC12 cells

A high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS) method was established for simultaneous determination of seven characteristic components from the active fraction of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma in rat plasma, including galangin, kaempferol, kaempferide, pinocembrin, 1,7-diphenyl-4-en-3-heptanone, 5-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone(DHPA), and 7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-4-en-3-heptanone(DPHB). The new developed HPLC-MS/MS method was applied to study the pharmacokinetics of the 7 characteristic components in rats with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. A Waters Sunfire C_(18) column(2.1 mm×150 mm, 3.5 μm) was used. The acetonitrile-aqueous solution(containing 0.1% formic acid) was adopted as the mobile phase for gradient elution. Seven components and internal standard(chlorogenic acid) were separated within 12 min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode using electrospray ionization(ESI) source with fast switching between positive and negative ions. The method was verified by specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability and met the requirements of pharmacokinetic study on the 7 components in rat plasma. Pharmacokinetic results showed that the average peak time(T_(max)) of the 7 components was 0.31-2.19 h, their elimination half-life(t_(1/2)) was 5.26-16.65 h, and the average residence time(MRT) was 6.29-31.03 h after the oral administration of the active fraction of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma to rats with H. pylori gastritis. The plasma exposure levels of galangin and DHPA were higher than those of the other components. The concentration-time curves of four detected flavonoids showed obvious double peaks. This study elucidated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 7 characteristic components from the active fraction of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma in rats with H. pylori gastritis, providing a scientific basis for the identification of the pharmacodynamic substances of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma for treatment of H. pylori gastritis and the clinical application of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma in the prevention and treatment of H. pylori gastritis.

The Effect of Different Levels of Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) Powder on Growth Performance, Lipid Parameters, and Liver and Aantioxidant Enzymes in Japanese Quails under Heat Stress Conditions

A key molecular dysfunction in heart failure is the reduced activity of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) in cardiac muscle cells. Reactivating SERCA2a improves cardiac function in heart failure models, making it a validated target and an attractive therapeutic approach for heart failure therapy. However, finding small-molecule SERCA2a activators is challenging. In this study, we used a machine learning-based virtual screening to identify SERCA2a activators among 57,423 natural products. The machine learning model identified ten structurally related natural products from Zingiber officinale, Aframomum melegueta, Alpinia officinarum, Alpinia oxyphylla, and Capsicum (chili peppers) as SERCA2a activators. Initial ATPase assays showed seven of these activate SERCA at low micromolar concentrations. Notably, two natural products, Yakuchinone A and Alpinoid D displayed robust concentration-dependent responses in primary ATPase activity assays, efficient lipid bilayer binding and permeation in atomistic simulations, and enhanced intracellular Ca2+ transport in adult mouse cardiac cells. While these natural products exert off-target effects on Ca2+ signaling, these compounds offer promising avenues for the design and optimization of lead compounds. In conclusion, this study increases the array of calcium pump effectors and provides new scaffolds for the development of novel SERCA2a activators as new therapies for heart failure.

Alpinia officinarum Hance has a medicinal history of thousands of years in treating cough, diabetes, and gastrointestinal system diseases, and it is also a medicine food homology (MFH) plant in China. To evaluate the pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from the rhizomes of A. officinarum, polysaccharides were initially obtained by hot-water extraction and the ethanol precipitation method. A homogenous polysaccharide designated as AOP-w was isolated by a DE-52 column. The proposed structure was elucidated and the immunoregulatory effects on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were evaluated. The results showed that AOP-w had a molecular weight of 5.26 kDa, and mainly consisted of galactose and glucose (molar ratio of 0.12:0.88). Its backbone comprised α-(1→4)-Glcp, α-(1→4,6)-Glcp and β-(1→3,4)-Galp residues, terminated by α-(1→6)-Glcp and T-Glcp residues. AOP-w was nontoxic to RAW 264.7 cells, but demonstrated promotion in cell proliferation within a 100 μg/mL concentration. The immunostimulatory effects of AOP-w were confirmed by the elevated NO production of AOP-w-treated cells. Moreover, the RNAseq was conducted and the results showed that AOP-w may activate the TNF and NF-κB signaling pathways by binding to Toll-like receptors, thereby affecting the immune modulatory activity of RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest a high potential of AOP-w from A. officinarum for immunotherapeutic applications.

Moroccan oases host a rich array of date palm varieties, renowned for the traditional expertise in crafting local products from dates. Date juice, a quintessential local product with significant heritage value, is facing a decline in appreciation. This study delves into indigenous knowledge surrounding date juice processing. Surveys involving one hundred women from the Alnif and Tata oases in Morocco’s pre-Saharan regions were conducted. Results reveal the use of 56 medicinal and aromatic plants from 33 families and 53 genera in date juice preparation, with Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families most prevalent. Noteworthy species include Corrigiola telephiifolia Pourr. (85 citations), Cynara humilis L. (66), Cyperus longus L. (65), and Alpinia officinarum Hance (64). Date juice holds significance in traditional medicine, prized for its sensory qualities and therapeutic benefits resulting from blending date fruit with aromatic and medicinal plants. The study sheds light on traditional manufacturing processes, including palm variety selection and plant choices. It also offers insights into therapeutic applications aligning with medicinal practices. These findings enrich understanding of cultural traditions and provide essential information for their preservation and propagation.

Background: The increasing incidence of hyperlipidemia (HLP) is attributed to the imbalance in redox homeostasis, aberrant lipid metabolism, and the excessive intake of empty calories. Dajihan Pill (DJHP) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula composed of Zingiberis Rhizoma (ZR), Piperis Longi Fructus (PLF), Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizome (AOR), and Cinnamomi Cortex (CC) in a ratio of 3:2:3:2. It exhibits a significant preventive effect on HLP. Certainly, the active components and the precise mechanism of action are not fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the preventive and ameliorative mechanisms of DJHP against HLP by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. Methods: Based on the pharmacological method, active ingredients in DJHP and targets were extracted from Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) and UniProt. Then core compounds and targets were obtained by constructing “compounds-targets-disease” and proteinprotein interaction (PPI) network. Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed to elucidate further the associated action mechanism. The molecular binding mechanisms between the core ingredients and targets were elucidated through molecular docking. Additionally, the antioxidant capacities of DJHP extracts were investigated by assessing their DPPH, hydroxyl, and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Results: A total of 45 active compounds and 258 targets were identified in DJHP. Network analysis indicated that quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaempferol, and oleic acid might serve as core bioactive compounds. Seven core targets, including AKT1, INS, and TNF, were identified as potential preventive targets. GO analysis suggested the improvement of HLP by DJHP may be related to the lipid metabolic process, high-density lipoprotein particle, triglyceride binding, and inflammatory response. The KEGG analysis indicated TNF, HIF-1, and AMPK signaling pathways were involved. The observations of active compounds binding with core targets indicated an excellent combination. Additionally, antioxidant results showed that DJHP exhibited significant DPPH, hydroxyl, and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Conclusion: Theoretical and experimental investigations indicate that DJHP can effectively modulate various signaling pathways and enhance the redox system, thus mitigating HLP. Our work provided a basis for the pharmacological study of DJHP in preventing HLP and further research.

Conventional monocrop rubber farming, while profitable, has led to significant environmental and socio-economic issues. These include deforestation, reduced soil fertility, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions. Economically, smallholder farmers face risks due to fluctuating rubber prices and income dependency on a single crop. This situation has resulted in low incomes, labour shortages, and, in some cases, abandonment of rubber plantations. Intercropping, or modern rubber agroforestry, offers a promising solution to these challenges. This approach involves planting other crops or trees alongside rubber, increasing revenue, enhancing soil properties, conserving moisture, reducing erosion and improving overall rubber crop yield. Various crops such as fruits (Salaca palm, gnetum, banana and lemon), vegetables (Cucumber, arrowroot, french bean, chilli, mung bean, broad leaf pumpkin, yam, cowpea and egusi melon), spices (Ginger, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg) and medicinal plants (Sarpagandha, kalmegh, lesser galangal, satavar and long pepper) can be successfully grown with rubber. However, implementing intercropping systems comes with challenges, including potential adverse effects on rubber growth and yield if not appropriately managed. Farmers must implement good agricultural practices and integrated farming strategies to achieve sustainable economic and ecological benefits from rubber-based intercropping. This includes careful selection of cultivars, optimal planting and spacing, regular maintenance and balanced fertilizer application. This review explored essential intercropping practices and highlighted successful case studies within rubber plantations. While more complex than traditional monocropping, a well-managed intercropping system can provide diverse income sources, improve agro-biodiversity and contribute to more sustainable rubber farming practices.

Research has elucidated that the pathophysiological underpinnings of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are intrinsically linked to insulin resistance (IR). However, there are currently no pharmacotherapies specifically approved for combating IR. Although Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) can ameliorate diabetes, the detailed molecular mechanism through which it influences IR has not been fully clarified. To predict the active components of A. officinarum and determine the mechanism by which A. officinarum affects IR. The active compounds and molecular mechanism underlying the improvement of IR by A. officinarum were predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. To further substantiate these predictions, an in vitro model of IR was induced in HepG2 cells using high glucose concentrations. Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress levels were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay kits. The putative molecular mechanisms were corroborated through Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. Fourteen principal active components in A. officinarum, 133 potential anti-IR gene targets, and the top five targets with degree values were ALB, AKT1, TNF, IL6, and VEGFA. A. officinarum was posited to exert its pharmacological effects on IR through mechanisms involving lipid and atherosclerosis, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis. Intriguingly, network pharmacology analysis highlighted (4E)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3- one (A14) as the most active compound. Molecular docking studies further confirmed that A14 has a strong binding affinity for the main targets of PI3K, AKT, and Nrf2. The experiments demonstrated that A14 significantly diminished the ROS and MDA levels while augmenting the SOD activity. Moreover, A14 was found to elevate the protein expression of PI3K, AKT, Nrf2, and HO-1, and increase the mRNA levels of these targets as well as NQO1. A. officinarum could play a therapeutic role in IR through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The most active component of A. officinarum responsible for combating IR is A14, which has the ability to regulate oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway. These findings suggest a potential pharmacological intervention strategy for the treatment of IR.

The first syntheses of the Alpinia officinarum natural products alpinidinoid C and officinine B are reported. These unusual dimeric diarylheptanoids were accessed from a 3-substituted pyridine intermediate via a blue-light-mediated, triple-Minisci-type alkylation. Very few reports utilize N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NAPs) in the construction of natural products, and the syntheses reported herein highlight the power of this methodology toward the orthogonal construction of highly substituted arenes.

Background/Objectives: This review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the current evidence on Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) and its potential therapeutic role in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CNS disorders encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord, leading to various neurological, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. In recent years, natural products have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of CNS disorders due to their outstanding bioactivity and favourable safety profile. One such plant is A. officinarum, also known as lesser galangal, a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae family. Its phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids and phenols have been documented to have a powerful antioxidants effect, capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing oxidative damage. Methods: In this review, we critically evaluate the in vitro and in vivo studies and examine the mechanisms by which A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effect. Results: Several studies have confirmed that A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, promoting neurite outgrowth, and modulating neurotransmitter levels and signalling pathways. Conclusions: Although previous studies have shown promising results in various models of neurological disorders, the underlying mechanisms of A. officinarum in Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are still poorly understood. Further studies on brain tissue and cognitive and motor functions in animal models of AD and PD are needed to validate the results observed in in vitro studies. In addition, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of A. officinarum in CNS disorders.

Agriculture stands as a pivotal sub-sector within the economy of North Aceh. Among its primary commodities are horticultural crops, encompassing the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, and ornamental flora. In endeavors to boost agricultural productivity and efficiency, the utilization of harvest prediction methodologies has grown increasingly indispensable. This study relies on historical harvest data spanning from 2017 to 2022 to forecast crops such as leafy greens, fruits, and medicinal plants. The selected plants for prediction include spinach, water spinach, cucumber, banana, durian, rambutan, ginger, lesser galangal, and turmeric. Data analysis employs Brown's double exponential smoothing method, selecting the α (alpha) parameter that minimizes the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for accurate forecasting. Spinach is anticipated to yield 1239.9508 quintals, with an α (alpha) parameter of 0.9 and a MAPE of 38.46%. Water spinach is forecasted to yield 2069.75 quintals, with an α (alpha) parameter of 0.5 and a MAPE of 18.14%. Cucumber is projected to yield 1023.22432 quintals, with an α (alpha) parameter of 0.4 and a MAPE of 31.51%. Consequently, the highest projected yield is for water spinach at 2069,75 quintals.

Insights into the anticancer effects of galangal and galangin: A comprehensive review

One method of cultivating herbal plants is creating a living pharmacy. A living pharmacy involves using land to grow medicinal plants that can be used for daily needs. Some examples of plants that can be cultivated in a living pharmacy are ginger, galangal, turmeric, and lesser galangal. Establishing a living pharmacy boosts the immune system and is an alternative to herbal medicine. This community service initiative aims to educate the residents of Dusun Mranggen about the benefits, planting techniques, maintenance, and utilization of these medicinal plants. The method used is Participatory Action Research (PAR), which combines research and action to raise critical awareness and improve conditions and practices through changes within a specific community. As a result, the community has better understood how to grow and utilize herbal plants. It has successfully used available land around their homes to plant medicinal plants that benefit their health.

Alpinia calcarata (Roscoe), generally recognized as snap ginger or lesser galangal of the Zingiberaceae family, undergoes widespread cultivation in tropical nations. It is characterized by its noteworthy pharmacological attributes, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, reproductive, anti-cancer, and gastro-protective effects. Many storage pests now resist traditional chemical pesticides. Transitioning to organic alternatives is a preferable and sustainable solution. This research investigates the insecticidal activity of essential oil from A. calcarata rhizomes, obtained via hydro-distillation. Chemical analysis was conducted, and the study assessed its toxicity and repellent effects on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Callosobruchus chinensis (L). A yield of 0.44 ± 0.02 % essential oil was obtained from dry rhizomes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterization revealed the major chemical constituents as 1,8-cineole (25.71 %), ethyl iso-allocholate (16.01 %), and fenchyl acetate (15.15 %). The findings from the investigation into the pesticidal characteristics of essential oils derived from the rhizome of A. calcarata unveiled significant contact (LC50 at 24 h was 10.9 mg/cm2 for T. castaneum, 1.0 mg/cm2 for L. serricorne and 0.5 mg/cm2 for C. chinensis) and fumigant toxicity (LC50 at 24 h was 4.05 mg/L air for T. castaneum, 1.75 mg/L air for L. serricorne, and 1.03 mg/L air for C. chinensis). The repellent efficacy was evaluated through an area preference test, revealing robust repellent activity at various concentrations. Undoubtedly, the essential oil extracted from the rhizome of A. calcarata is valuable and has the potential to be a safe, organic pesticide for controlling storage pests.

This work investigated the physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and digestive properties of two non-conventional starches extracted from Galanga: Alpinia officinarum Hance starch (AOS) and Alpinia galanga Willd starch (AGS). The extraction rates of the two starches were 22.10 wt% and 15.73 wt%, which is lower than widely studied ginger (Zingiber officinale, ZOS). But they contained similar amounts of basic constituents. AOS and AGS showed a smooth, elongated shape, while ZOS was an oval sheet shape. AOS and ZOS were C-type starches, and AGS was an A-type starch. AOS showed the highest crystallinity (35.26 ± 1.02%) among the three starches, possessed a higher content of amylose (24.14 ± 0.73%) and a longer amylose average chain length (1419.38 ± 31.28) than AGS. AGS starch exhibits the highest viscosity at all stages, while AOS starch shows the lowest pasting temperature, and ZOS starch, due to its high amylose content, displays lower peak and trough viscosities. Significant differences were also found in the physicochemical properties of the three starches, including the swelling power, solubility, thermal properties, and rheological properties of the three starches. The total content of resistant starch (RS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) in AOS (81.05%), AGS (81.46%), and ZOS (82.58%) are considered desirable. These findings proved to be valuable references for further research and utilization of ginger family starch.