ArticlePDF Available

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF RHIZOME EXTRACTS OF Kaempferia galanga

Authors:
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee University, Bilaspur

Abstract

Several Zingiberaceae family members show active principles in treatment of various human ailments. An experiment on antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in rhizome extracts of Kaempferia galanga has been conducted. The Kaempferia galanga rhizome extracts shown antioxidant activity of the tested plant extracts (IC 50 : 490µg/ml to 720µg/ml) is less compared to the ascorbic acid (IC 50 : 230µg/ml). Methanol, ethylacetate, ethanol and aqueous rhizome extracts has shown good antimicrobial activity against tested microbes (9.5 to 22mm zone diameter). The extracts was shown good antimicrobial activity against fungi (11 to 22mm) when compared with the gram negative bacteria (9.5 to 15mm) and gram positive bacteria (9.5 to 13). Hence Kaempferia galanga rhizome extracts was shown good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1180
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF RHIZOME
EXTRACTS OF Kaempferia galanga
Narasinga Rao V, DSVGK Kaladhar*
Dept. of Biochemistry, GIS, GITAM University, Vishakhapatnam, AP, India
ABSTRACT
Several Zingiberaceae family members show active principles in
treatment of various human ailments. An experiment on antioxidant
and antimicrobial activity in rhizome extracts of Kaempferia galanga
has been conducted. The Kaempferia galanga rhizome extracts shown
antioxidant activity of the tested plant extracts (IC50: 490µg/ml to
720µg/ml) is less compared to the ascorbic acid (IC50: 230µg/ml).
Methanol, ethylacetate, ethanol and aqueous rhizome extracts has
shown good antimicrobial activity against tested microbes (9.5 to
22mm zone diameter). The extracts was shown good antimicrobial
activity against fungi (11 to 22mm) when compared with the gram negative bacteria (9.5 to
15mm) and gram positive bacteria (9.5 to 13). Hence Kaempferia galanga rhizome extracts
was shown good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Key words: Kaempferia galanga, solvent extraction, antioxidant and antimicrobial studies
INTRODUCTION
Plants have a precious medicinal source of natural products for maintain high-quality of
human health with added intensive studies for natural therapies [1]. The use of plant
metabolites for pharmaceutical implements has progressively increased in India [2].
Microorganisms comprise the genetic capability to transmit and attain resist to antibiotics,
which are used as therapeutic agents [3]. In the present years, microbial resistance is
developing and applying of antimicrobial agents in the prospect is still uncertain [4]. Thus,
the therapeutic actions must be taken to diminish these problems and to supervise the use of
antibiotics. Highly developed research strategies can make available improved understanding
in the genetic mechanisms of resistance in microbes. The crucial aim is to produce a suitable
W
WO
OR
RL
LD
D
J
JO
OU
UR
RN
NA
AL
L
O
OF
F
P
PH
HA
AR
RM
MA
AC
CY
Y
A
AN
ND
D
P
PH
HA
AR
RM
MA
AC
CE
EU
UT
TI
IC
CA
AL
L
S
SC
CI
IE
EN
NC
CE
ES
S
V
Vo
ol
lu
um
me
e
3
3,
,
I
Is
ss
su
ue
e
5
5,
,
1
11
18
80
0-
-1
11
18
89
9.
.
R
Re
es
se
ea
ar
rc
ch
h
A
Ar
rt
ti
ic
cl
le
e
I
IS
SS
SN
N
2278 – 4357
eceived on
06 March 2014,
Revised on 20 March
2014,
Accepted on 24 April 2014
*Correspondence for Author
Dr. Kaladhar Dowluru
Dept. of Biochemistry, GIS,
GITAM University,
Vishakhapatnam, AP, India
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1181
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
and efficient antimicrobial drug to the patients [5].
About 75% of individuals use traditional medicine, which are resultant from medicinal plants
in a variety of developed countries [6]. Hence, the search of different phyto-components from
medicinal plants should be to recognize the properties and efficiency with possible treatment
against diseases [7]. The family Zingiberaceae has enormous number of medicinal plants and
is well known for use in ethnomedicine. The wisdom of Zingiberaceae members indicates
systematically analyzes compounds for the management and prevention of various human
ailments from India. The phytochemical assessments from the plants complete humans for
studies in biodiversity and its protection for future pharmacological studies [8]. A number of
medicinal plants have good sources with nutrient and non nutrient molecules, lots of which
have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties that can guard the
human system against cellular oxidation reactions and pathogens [9].
Essential oils have good anti-fungal, anti-viral, insecticidal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant
properties. Several oils are used in various skin disorders [10]. Essential oils are also having
industrial applications like fragrance, food preservation and aromatotherapy [11]. The
essential oils of aromatic plant extracts are rich sources of biologically vigorous compounds
which are enhanced interest in looking at anti-microbial properties [12]. So, it is sensible to
anticipate a diversity of plant compounds in these oils with the appropriate general antibiotic
potential and antimicrobial activity [13].
The severe infections caused by various disease causing microorganisms enhanced and an
important cause of morbidity and mortality patients in worldwide [14]. Nearly three quarters
of the population in developing countries used in their traditional medicinal system depends
upon plant based on measures and as the basic requirements for human primary health care
[15]. Hence, several medicinal plants need to be necessary possible antimicrobial activity
evaluation and to get admirable remedy for a microbial origin from a variety of ailments [16].
The living organisms protected from several antioxidants and prevent scratches caused by
uninhibited formation of reactive oxygen species; concurrent lipid per oxidation, protein
damage and DNA strand breakage [17]. Antioxidant that can decrease free radicals activity
can prevent the oxidation of various molecules and may possibly have health promoting
special effects in the interference of degenerative diseases [18]. In accumulation there is a
contrary relationship between the frequency of human diseases and dietary intake of
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1182
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
antioxidant rich food [19]. The natural antioxidants had shown a extensive range of
biochemical activities, like inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) making, through
direct or indirect scavenge of free radicals, and differences of intra cellular redox potential
[20].
The ROS are free radicals such as superoxide anion radicals (O2-), hydroxyl radicals (OH-)
and other non-free-radical species such as H2O2 and singlet oxygen (1O2) are several forms of
activated oxygen [21]. The importance of free radicals provided increasing attention over the
decades in understanding antioxidant activity. The cellular injury and in ageing process these
molecules are exacerbating factors [22]. ROS have important interest between scientist and
their extensive range of property on biological and medicinal systems studied in many
experimental investigations [23]. In living organisms, several ROS can form signaling
networks in knowing different components used in different traditions. Normal aerobic
respiration stimulates macrophages, peroxisomes and polymorph nuclear leukocytes that
emerge to be the chief endogenous sources of mainly the oxidants formed by cells. The
exogenous or external sources of ROS include certain pesticides, tobacco smoke, pollutants
and organic solvents [24].
Ageing is one of the unique features in all living organisms. The impaired functions of many
systems characterize aging. The impairments occur in the brain causes susceptibility to
neurodegenerative diseases that amplifies significantly. The free radical presumption of aging
posits the functional impairments in brains that are due to the attack on serious cellular
mechanism by reactive nitrogen species, free radicals and ROS produced during normal
metabolism [25].
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of Plant Material
Fresh plants consisting of rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga (K. galanga or KG) were
collected from Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh and some regions of Kerala during
July and August 2011. The plant is authenticated by Dr. P.V. Arjun Rao, Ethanobotanist,
Dept. of Botany, Phytopharma Technology Laboratory, Visakhapatnam (No. Res/1 dated 21-
09-2010). K. galanga is confirmed based on details given in “Flora of the Presidency of
Madras” by J.S. Gamble, Vol. iii, page numbers 1483-1484, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal
Singh Publishers, India (2004). Fully matured rhizomes were washed systematically and
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1183
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
dried out in sunlight. The desiccated plant rhizomes were grinded to powder and about
150gms of the dehydrated plant material were used for the extraction.
Extraction Process
Nearly 30g of air dried powder were taken in 200ml of ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and
aqueous separately, plugged with cotton wool and then kept on orbital shaker for 48 hours
with 150rpm at room temperature. The extracts were filtered with whatmann no 1 filter paper
and collect the supernatant. Then solvent evaporated through rotavapour and make the final
volume one-fourth of the original volume and stored at the 4oC in air tight containers.
Antioxidant Activity with DPPH
Chemicals & Reagents
Standard: Ascorbic acid
a. 100µM of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl): Nearly 3.9432 mg of DPPH was
dissolved in 3ml of methanol and made up to 100 ml to obtain a final concentration of
100µM.
b.Stock solutions of test items: 3mg/ml stock solutions were prepared in DMSO.
c. Test items preparation: Appropriate dilutions (0 to 1000µg/ml) of test items were prepared.
The reaction mixture was made by addition of 20µl of test items and 280µl of DPPH reagent
to reach a final volume of 300µl and kept incubation in dark for 50 minutes and then
absorbance was read at 517 nm using spectrophotometer. An IC50 value was determined as
the concentration that elicits the half maximal response.
Antimicrobial Activity
The antimicrobial activity was conducted based on zone method.
Microorganisms
Microbes from ATCC (American Type Culture Collection), USA have been used in the
present study. Several bacteria used in the current research work are Bacillus subtilis (ATCC
6051) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 13883) belongs to gram positive bacteria, and
Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Enterobacter
aerogenes (ATCC 13048) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) belong to gram negative
bacteria. Fungi used in the work are Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275) and Candida albicans
(ATCC 10231).
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1184
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Antimicrobial Activity Using Zone Method
Antimicrobial activity has been conducted based on zone method. The medium used in this
experimentation are Muller-Hinton Agar (Hi Media Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai., India) for bacteria
grown at 370C for 24 hours and fungi in Sabourand Dextrose Agar (Hi Media Pvt. Ltd.,
Mumbai., India) at 250C for 48 hours. The freshly prepared nutrient broth has been prepared
and inoculated the broth cultures. The broth was inoculated into growth medium. The growth
medium has prepared in the petriplates. Wells of 8mm size were made in the growth media
with sterile borer. Nearly 50µl of extracts were added to the wells of growth media. The
MHA (Muller-Hinton Agar) plates of bacteria were incubated at 370C for 24hrs. The
Sabourand Dextrose Agar plates were incubated using micro pipette at 250C for 72 hours for
fungi. After incubation diameter of zones of inhibition was measured using Hi Media zone
reader in mm.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
India has rich sources of medicinal plants shows important part of life from ancient times. An
important part of this indigenous knowledge was consistent from the past into the organized
systems of medicines such as Sidha, Yunani and Ayurveda or other systems (Chetna and
Anoop, 2009). Caffeic acid (3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is a powerful antioxidant isolated
from plants (Gülçin, 2006).
One such plant Kaempferia galanga belongs to Zingiberaceae family revealed to be having
antioxidant and antimicrobial activities by present investigation. K. galanga is a precious
medicinal plant, which is rarely available in few countries and becoming extinct due to
change of climatic conditions and human factors. These plant rhizomes shown good
secondary metabolite products and medicinal activities have not been widely recognized.
Currently the entire plant K. galanga are used for antifungal and antibacterial properties for
extracting plant metabolites against fungi and bacteria using agar diffusion and the zones of
inhibition methods. The antioxidant activity can be calculated using DPPH method.
The K. galanga rhizome extracts shown antioxidant activity with IC50 value for ethanol is
490µg/ml, 590µg/ml for methanol, ethyl acetate is 640µg/ml and aqueous extract shown is
720µg/ml. The IC50 value for standard (ascorbic acid) obtained in the experimentation is
230µg/ml (Figure 1, Table 1). Though the antioxidant activity of the tested plant extract is
less compared to the standard, the plant has shown good antioxidant activity
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1185
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Table 1: Antioxidant activity (IC50) for crude rhizome extracts of K. galanga
Table 1: Percentage of Inhibition of DPPH radical for antioxidant activities of K.
galanga
Log conc.
(µg/ml) Ethanol Methanol Ethyl
acetate Aqueous Standard
(Ascorbic
acid)
0 0 0 0 0 0
31.25 8.39 6.45 4.44 4.02 23.13
62.5 16.33 12.23 11.43 8.02 34.33
125 27.45 23.44 22.75 17.34 41.67
250 38.66 35.24 30.33 27.34 52.73
500 50.45 44.44 42.33 39.43 66.23
1000 89.54 76.33 72.33 65.43 92.78
The plant rhizome extracts were analyzed for antimicrobial activity against various test
microorganisms. All the prepared extracts were shown fine antimicrobial activity (Table 2).
Ethyl acetate, Ethanol, Methanol and aqueous rhizome extracts of K. galanga was revealed
good antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria (9.5 to 15 mm). The extracts have
shown good activity against fungi (11 to 22) while compared with gram negative bacteria
(9.5 to 13) and gram positive bacteria (10 to 15mm). The zone of inhibition for the bacterial
standard, tetracycline has shown inhibition zone from 10 to 44 mm at 50µg/ml. The zone of
inhibition for fungal standard, Fluconazole has shown inhibition zone for 13 and 16 mm for
Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans respectively at 50µg/ml. Antifungal medicinal plants
belong to the Zingiberaceae family has also been previously reported in plants like Curcuma
longa L., Curcuma zedoaria Rosc., Curcuma malabarica Vel., and A. galanga supports the
use of their rhizomes in traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal and bacterial
infections [26].
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1186
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Table 2: Antimicrobial activity for crude rhizome extracts of K. galanga
Note: Standard antibiotic for bacteria is Tetracyclin and for fungi is Fluconazole
K. galanga belongs to Zingiberaceae family used in the treatment of several diseases. Most of
the medicinal plants are widely used for the treatment of several diseases in India and China
[27]. The practice of plants like turmeric may decrease the risk of different kinds of cancers
and provide other protective biological effects in humans. These biological effects are due to
constituent curcumin that widely studied for its anti-oxidant, wound healing, anti-cancer and
anti-inflammatory effects [28].
The possible compounds for developing antimicrobials from plants appear valuable, as it will
lead to the enhancement of a phytomedicine to act against microbes. The Plant based
antimicrobials have immense therapeutic potential as they can provide the purpose with
slighter side effects that are frequently associated with synthetic antimicrobials [29].
CONCLUSION
The crude rhizome extracts of K. galanga has shown antioxidant activity. The K.galanga has
shown extensive antimicrobial activity and hence the naturally available crude rhizome
extracts of K. galanga could be potential alternative against microbes. Hence the crude
rhizome extracts of K. galanga shows antioxidant and antimicrobial components.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author would like to thank GITAM University for providing lab facility and access to e-
journals to carry out the entire research work.
Microorganism Zone of inhibition in mm (including well size of 8mm) at 50 µg/ml
Methanol
extract Ethanol
extract Ethyl
acetate
extract
Aqueous
extract Antibiotic
Control
(DMSO)
Bacteria
Bacillus subtilis 11 12.5 15 11 26 Nil
Klebsiella pneumoniae 12 11.5 15 10 31 Nil
Serratia marcescens 13 13 12 10.5 11 Nil
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
9.5 11 9.5 10 38 Nil
Enterobacter aerogenes 11 12 11 9.5 44 Nil
Escherichia coli 10.5 12 11 10 10 Nil
Fungi
Aspergillus niger 18 20 22 13 13 Nil
Candida albicans 20 21 21 11 16 Nil
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1187
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
REFERENCES
1. Grabley S. and Isabel S. Natural products for lead identification: nature is a valuable
resource for providing tools. Modern Methods of Drug Discovery. Birkhäuser Basel.
2003; pp. 87-107.
2. Smetanska I. Production of secondary metabolites using plant cell cultures. In Food
Biotechnology .2008; pp. 187-228. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
3. Chopra I, Roberts M. Tetracycline antibiotics: mode of action, applications, molecular
biology, and epidemiology of bacterial resistance. Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Reviews. 2001; 65(2), 232-260.
4. Talbot G H, Bradley J, Edwards J E., Gilbert D, Scheld, Bartlett J G. Bad bugs need
drugs: an update on the development pipeline from the Antimicrobial Availability Task
Force of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical infectious diseases. 2006;
42(5), 657-668.
5. Dellit T H, Owens R C, McGowan J E, Gerding D N, Weinstein R A, Burke J P ,
Huskins, WC, Paterson DL, Fishman NO, Carpenter CF,Brennan PJ, Billeter M. and
Hooton TM. Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare
Epidemiology of America guidelines for developing an institutional program to enhance
antimicrobial stewardship. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2007; 44(2), 159-177.
6. Fabricant D S, Farnsworth N R. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug
discovery. Environmental health perspectives .2001; 109(Suppl 1), 69.
7. Nascimento GG, Locatelli J, Freitas PC, Silva GL. (Antibacterial activity of plant
extracts and phytochemicals on antibiotic-resistant bacteria). Brazilian journal of 72
microbiology, 2000; 31(4):247-56.
8. Basak S, Sarma GC , Rangan L. Ethnomedical uses of Zingiberaceous plants of
Northeast India. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2010;132(1), 286-96,
9. Sengul M, Yildiz H, Gungor N, Cetin B, Eser Z, Ercisli S. (Total phenolic content,
antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of some medicinal plants). Pak. J. Pharm. Sci,
2009; 22(1):102-6.
10. Megraj, K V K, Koneri Raju R, Meenakshisundaram K. Biological Activities of Some
Indian medicinal plants. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research. 2011; 1,
12-44.
11. Christaki E, Bonos E, Giannenas I, Florou-Paneri P. Aromatic Plants as a Source of
Bioactive Compounds. Agriculture. 2012; 2(3), 228-243.
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1188
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
12. Prabuseenivasan S, Jayakumar M, Ignacimuthu S. In vitro antibacterial activity of some
plant essential oils. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2006; 6(1), 39.
13. Darokar MP, Mathur A, Dwivedi S, Bhalla R, Khanuja SPS, Kumar S (Detection of
antibacterial activity in the floral petals of some higher plants). Curr Sci, 1998; 75:187.
14. Al-Bari MAA, Sayeed MA. and Rahman MS. Characterization and antimicrobial
activities of a phenolic acid derivative produced by Streptomyces bangladeshiensis: A
novel species collected in Bangladesh. Res J Med Sci., 2006; Vol. 1, pp. 77–81,
15. Mthethwa N S. Antimicrobial activity testing of traditionally used plants for treating
wounds and sores at Ongoye area KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Zululand). 2009.
16. Ubramani SP, Goraya GS.( Some folklore medicinal plants of Kolli hills: Record of a
Watti vaidyas Sammelan). J Econ Taxon Bot. 2003;27: 665–78.
17. Gill SS, Tuteja N. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress
tolerance in crop plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2010; 48(12), 909-930.
18. Young I S, Woodside JV. Antioxidants in health and disease. Journal of clinical
pathology. 2001; 54(3), 176-186.
19. Leonard SS, Cutler D, Ding M, Vallyathan V, Castranova V, Shi X.( Antioxidant
properties of fruit and vegetable juices: More to the story than ascorbic acid). Ann Clin
Lab Sci. 2002; 32:193–200.
20. Ju E M, Lee S E, Hwang H J, Kim J H. Antioxidant and anticancer activity of extract
from< i> Betula platyphylla</i> var.< i> japonica</i>. Life sciences. 2004; 74(8), 1013-
1026.
21. Gülçinİ.(Antioxidantactivityofcaffeicacid(3,4dihydroxycinnamicacid). Toxicology.
2006;217(2):213-20.
22. Lai L S, Chou S T, Chao WW. Studies on the antioxidative activities of Hsian-tsao
(Mesona procumbens Hemsl) leaf gum. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
2001; 49(2), 963-968.
23. Oktay M, Gülçin I, Küfrevioğlu Öİ. Determination of in vitro antioxidant activity of
fennel (< i> Foeniculum vulgare</i>) seed extracts. LWT-Food Science and Technology.
2003; 36(2), 263-271.
24. Kumar RS, Sivakumar T, Sunderam RS, Gupta M, Mazumdar UK, Gomathi P, Kumar
KA. (Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bauhinia racemosa L. stem
bark). Brazilian journal of medical and biological research, 2005; 38(7):1015-24.
www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 5, 2014.
1189
Kaladhar
et al.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
25. Poon HF, Calabrese V, Scapagnini G, Butterfield D A (Free radicals: key to brain aging
and heme oxygenase as a cellular response to oxidative stress). The Journals of
Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences,2004;59(5):M478-
M493
26. Maria JA, María A, and Paulina B. (Active antifungal substances from natural sources).
ARKIVOC 2007; (vii): 116-45.
27. Kaladhar DSVGK, Harasreeramulu S, Duddukuri GR, et al. In Vitro Regeneration of the
Medicinal Herb, Evolvulus Nummularius L. From Shoot Tip and Flower Explants. Indian
Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences. 2011; 1 (2): 81-89.
28. Maheshwari RK, Singh AK, Gaddipati J, et al. Multiple biological activities of curcumin:
a short review. Life sciences. 2006; 78(18): 2081-2087.
29. Martins AP, Salgueiro L Goncalves MJ. (Essential oil composition and antimicrobial
activity of three Zingiberaceae from S.Tomee Principle). Planta med. 2001; 67:580-84.
... Theo Kaladhar et al. (2014), chiết xuất thân rễ Kaempferia galanga cho thấy hoạt tính chống oxy hóa (IC50: 490µg / ml đến 720µg/ml) thấp hơn so với acid ascorbic (IC50: 230µg / ml). Chiết xuất thể hiện hoạt tính chống nấm tốt (11 đến 22mm) khi so sánh với vi khuẩn gram âm (9,5 đến 15mm) và vi khuẩn gram dương (9,5 đến 13). ...
... Tuy nhiên khả năng loại gốc tự do DPPH của Curcuma zedoaria cao nhất theo Nahak and Sahu (2011) là là 63,27±0,06% trong khi kết quả tìm được thể hiện khả năng kháng oxi hóa cao hơn là 88,79%. Theo nghiên cứu của Kaladhar et al. (2014), IC50 của Kaempferia galanga là 590 µg/mL, yếu hơn chất chuẩn vitamin C 2,57 lần và khả năng trung hòa gốc tự do DPPH cao nhất là 76,33%, trong khi kết quả tìm được cao chiết ngải tím thể hiện khả năng kháng oxi hóa cao hơn là 84,67%, kết quả này phù hợp với nghiên cứu của Sumazian et al. (2010), mức độ loại gốc tự do DPPH cao nhất của Kaempferia galanga là 83,27%. Sự không tương đồng trong kết quả thí nghiệm có thể giải thích do nồng độ của DPPH và của cao chiết được dùng trong thí nghiệm khác nhau, sự khác nhau trong điều kiện thí nghiệm, cách chiết cao và bảo quản. ...
... Kết quả thí nghiệm khuếch tán dĩa thạch này phù hợp với nghiên cứu của Das (2012), cao chiết của Curcuma zedoaria với 400 µg mỗi liều thể hiện vòng kháng đối với 4 loại vi sinh vật E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa và C. albicans. Theo nghiên cứu của Kochuthressia et al. (2012) và Kaladhar et al. (2014), Kaempferia galanga thể hiện tính kháng đối với 4 loại vi sinh vật E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa và C. albicans. ...
Thesis
Full-text available
Việc sử dụng thực vật như một loại dược liệu từ lâu đã phổ biến trong các bài thuốc cổ truyền. Những năm gần đây, các hợp chất thiên nhiên có hoạt tính chống oxy hóa và kháng vi sinh vật với hiệu quả cao, ít độc hại và đáng tin cậy được đang được nhiều người lựa chọn và có tính ứng dụng cao. Từ đó một số giống cây khá hiếm, tuy khả năng chữa trị chưa có bằng chứng khoa học lại được bán với giá cao, ví dụ như cây ngải tím (Kaempferia galanga). Nga truật, hay nghệ đen (Curcuma zedoaria) được biết đến như một loại thuốc thông dụng và hiệu quả. Đề tài này thực hiện nhằm xác định thành phần hóa học, khảo sát tính chống oxi hóa, kháng vi sinh vật của cao chiết ethanol của thân rễ hai loại cây dược liệu trên. Kết quả cho thấy ly trích bằng hệ thống Soxhlet với dung môi ethanol đối với củ ngải tím đạt hiệu suất 3,54±1,17% khối lượng khô, đối với củ nghệ đen đạt hiệu suất 4,79±0,78% khối lượng khô. Định tính cao chiết ngải tím có phenolic, flavoinoid, coumarin, alkaloid, terpennoid, saponine, quinone. Hàm lượng phenol tổng và flavol tổng của cao chiết ngải tím lần lượt tương đương 12,85 mg gallic acid/g cao chiết và 7,95 mg quercetin/g cao chiết. Tương tự trong cao chiết nghệ đen có có phenolic, flavoinoid, coumarin, alkaloid, terpennoid, hàm lượng phenol tổng và flavol tổng lần lượt tương đương 21,56 mg gallic acid/g cao chiết và 3,66 mg quercetin/g cao chiết. Khả năng làm sạch gốc tự do DPPH: cao chiết ngải tím có IC50 là 142,55 μg/mL và cao chiết nghệ đen là 133,91 μg/mL, thể hiện khả năng chống oxi hóa thấp so với vitamin C (7,28 μg/mL). Khả năng làm sạch gốc tự do ABTS·+: cao chiết ngải tím có IC50 là 46,28 μg/mL và cao chiết nghệ đen là 44,88 μg/mL, khả năng chống oxi hóa thấp hơn so với vitamin E (4,38 μg/mL). Hai loại cao chiết đều thể hiện khả năng kháng đối với 4 loại vi sinh vật Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa và Candida albicans ở nồng độ 50 mg/mL. Kết quả kháng mạnh nhất đối với Pseudomonas aeruginosa lần lượt là ngải tím (13 mm) và nghệ đen (10,67 mm). Nồng độ ức chế tối thiểu (MIC) của cao chiết ngải tím đối với P. aeruginosa là 10 mg/mL, với C. albicans là 4 mg/mL. MIC của cao chiết nghệ đen đối với E. coli là là 8 mg/mL, đối với P. aeruginosa là 6 mg/mL, đối với S. aureus là 8 mg/mL. Kết quả đề tài cho thấy khả năng chống oxi hóa giữa hai loại cao chiết tương đương nhau. Cao chiết ngải tím có khả năng kháng nấm tốt hơn, trong khi cao chiết nghệ đen thể hiện khả năng kháng mạnh hơn đối với vi khuẩn. Từ khóa: Kaempferia galanga, Curcuma zedoaria, ngải tím, nghệ đen, cao chiết, thành phần hóa học, chống oxi hóa, kháng vi sinh.
... The herb commonly used as mixed for food flavoring, spice since its highly aromas, cosmetics or as a traditional medicine [2,3]. Rao and Kaladhar [4] reported that rhizome of K. galanga contain antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of K. galanga rhizome against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was reported by Tewtrakul et al. [5]. ...
... In general, the extract on each concentration more inhibits S. epidermidis than M. canis ( Figure 1). However, Rao and Kaladhar et al. [4] observed that rhizome extract of K. galanga as good activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) 11 to 22 mm) when compared to gram positive bacteria (9.5 to 13 mm). Selective toxicity of the extract against M. ...
Article
This study aims to determine the ability of ethanolic extract of Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome in inhibiting the growth of Microsporum canis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Rhizome concentrations used were 40, 50, 60, and 70%. Each treatment was replicate 4 times. Results showed that extract of K. galanga rhizome up to 70% have not significantly differences against M. canis and S. epidermidis. Rhizome extract of 70% inhibit the growth of M. canis with the highest inhibition 5.88 mm (in compared to ketoconazole 10.35 mm). Whereas the extract of 70% inhibit S. epidermidis with the highest inhibition 3.16 mm (in compared to chloramphenicol 25.49 mm).
... Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, and Candida albicans are all susceptible to the antibacterial properties of KG rhizome extract (Rao and Kaladhar, 2014). Using a disc diffusion assay with 10 μL of impregnated disc with ethanolic and methanolic extracts of KG showed suppression of different pathogenic bacteria and fungi with highest inhibition zone (21.3 ± 0.08) against Staphylococcus aureus (Kochuthressia et al., 2012). ...
Article
Full-text available
Kaempferia, a genus of the family Zingiberaceae, is widely distributed with more than 50 species which are mostly found throughout Southeast Asia. These plants have important ethnobotanical significance as many species are used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine preparations. This genus has received a lot of scholarly attention recently as a result of the numerous health advantages it possesses. In this review, we have compiled the scientific information regarding the relevance, distribution, industrial applications, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, tissue culture and conservation initiative of the Kaempferia genus along with the commercial realities and limitations of the research as well as missing industrial linkages followed by an exploration of some of the likely future promising clinical potential. The current review provides a richer and deeper understanding of Kaempferia, which can be applied in areas like phytopharmacology, molecular research, and industrial biology. The knowledge from this study can be further implemented for the establishment of new conservation strategies.
... Despite our disclosures, a previous report by Narasinga et al. proposed that the KGR showed less anti-oxidant activity when compared to ascorbic acid. [25] Similar to our study, a prior investigation into the anti-infective and anti-cancer properties of methanol induced concentrates of KGR (MGKR) revealed that the plant offered recognisable source of anti-cancer compounds. [26] Another survey supporting the concept that Kaempferia galanga L leaves has antioxidant and cytotoxicity effects. ...
Article
Full-text available
Kaempferia galanga rhizome (KGR) is a stemless, sweet-smelling, enduring, and rhizomatous monocotyledonous plant of the ginger family also called sand ginger or kencur. lt possesses many pharmacological effects and the goal of this study is to use several solvent solutions to determine the antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of KGR. By observing KGR's alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, the in vitro diabetic activity was assessed. The in vitro cancer preventive action was evaluated by doing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. The outcomes of the study showed increase in dose-dependent percentage of inhibition in α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity for both extract and standard ranging from 100 to 500 μg/ml. The current review proposes that the concentrate of KGR could be utilized for the treatment of diabetes mellitus as well with respect to dealing with the oxidative stress-related diseases.
... Alkaloid compounds, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics contained in the spice extract are thought to inhibit the synthesis of proteins and enzymes needed in cell formation so that they will inhibit the germination process of Aspergillus spp. The results of this study are in line with [26] which reported that kaemfiera can inhibit Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. [15] reported that kaemfiera could inhibit 4 species of mold, namely Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and Candida albicans. ...
Article
Full-text available
Pedetan is processed food of seasoned sardine fish (Sardinella lemuru) which is preserved by drying. Isolation and identification of mold that contaminated the pedetan have been taken from 10 villages which are production centers in Jembrana Regency. Molds that can contaminate pedetan during storage, include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus tubingensis. In this research, the composition of the seasoning from the producer was used to inhibit the growth of contaminant fungi. The minimum antimicrobial inhibition test was carried out by the well diffusion method and the seasoning extract was tested for its inhibition on mold growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Mold colonies growth test and testing the effect of extracts on mold biomass were carried out in vitro with potato dextrose broth (PDB) media. The results showed that the composition of seasoning garlic, coriander, kaemfiera, galangal, ginger, vinegar, and salt can inhibit Aspergillus spp. Seasoning extract concentrations of 0.5 % (w/v) diameter of inhibitory zone minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) are 0.8 and 1.2 mm for A. aculeatus and A. niger, by 1 mm for A. flavus and A. tubingensis, respectively. Seasoning extract at a concentration of 0.5 % (w/v) is also able to inhibit up to 100 % to the growth of the colony, conidia germination, conidia density, and biomass of A. flavus, A. aculeatus, A. niger, and A. tubingensis that contaminate the sardine fishes pedetan.
... Allicin and organosulphur compounds in garlic can inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Vibrio, Mycobakteria, Proteus sp, Helicobacter pylori and also as anti-parasite, antifungal and anti-virus [5] [6]. Kaemferia extract (Kaempferia galanga L.) can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli [7]. The inhibitory effect of kaemferia extract on Trichophyton tagrophytes and Cryptococcus neoformans by diffusion method showed that the kaemferia extract was able to inhibit the growth of Tri-chophyton mentagrophytes and Cryptococ-cus neoformans with a minimum inhibitory extract concentration of 0.15% against Tri-chophyton mentagrophytes and 2% against Cryptococcus neoformans [8]. ...
Article
Full-text available
‘Pedetan’ is a traditional food made from lemuru in Bali. The existence of climate change causes changes in the quantity of fish in the waters of the Bali strait. However, the quality of the ‘pedetan’ must be improved.. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of garlic and Kaempferia galanga in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus sp. which can contaminate the sardine fish Pedetan. The study was conducted by experimental method by isolating Aspergillus sp. from Pedetan and testing the inhibitory power of garlic and Kaempferia galanga and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Aspergillus sp. The results showed that the extract of garlic and Kaempferia galanga can inhibit the growth of Aspergillus sp. Garlic extract can inhibit A. flavus with inhibition zone diameter of 20.65 mm and Kaempferia galanga extract can inhibit the inhibition zone diameter of 23.75 mm. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for garlic extract was 0.4% with inhibition zone diameter of 1.0 mm and Kaempferia galanga with inhibition zone diameter of 1.2 mm. Garlic extract and Kaempferia galanga at 0.5% concentration can inhibit 100% of the conidia Aspergillus sp. Garlic extract and Kaempferia galanga can inhibit the growth of Aspergillus sp. because they contains bioactive compounds that are antimicrobial.
... Herb Medicinal Whole plant is used for asthma [38] Ficus hispida L.f. Baidimri Moraceae Tree Medicinal Leaves are used against diarrhea [39] Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. ...
Article
The vegetation of the Steel City (Rourkela) of Odisha, India has high ethnobotanical values by virtue of its rich floral diversity. People in the urban area are highly dependent on the plants available in and around the city for their primary needs. The present study highlights the use of local flora, explore, identification, ethnobotany and conservation of wild and cultivated plant species in the city of Rourkela, Odisha, India. It also pays heed to the proper utilization of urban flora as a way of highlighting its ethnopharmacological importance. A field survey was conducted to collect information about floral diversity in and around the city. Data on the use of plants was collected with a semi-structured questionnaire and from the peer-reviewed literature. A total of 154 plant species, belonging to 128 genera and 55 families, were identified, along with their botanical name, vernacular name, family and habitat. Of these plant species, 53 are medicinal, 43 are ornamental, and 33 are edible, while 23 are weeds. Paderia foetida and Saraca asoka fall into the RET (rare, endangered and threatened) group and are very effective against various diseases. Traditional uses of local plants in an urban area like Rourkela are very interesting. This shows that, not only rural and tribal areas are rich in useful bio-resources but so are urban or semi-urban areas. The documentation of all useful flora with ethnomedicinal potential is helpful in conserving plant biodiversity as well as in environmental studies along with potential applications in drug discovery and oriental medicine.
... Rhizome extraction of Kaempferia galanga using methanol, ethyl-acetate, ethanol and water has shown good antimicrobial activity (9.5 to 22mm zone diameter) against tested microbes like Bacteria (Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 13883) belongs to gram positive bacteria, and Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) belong to gram negative bacteria and fungi (Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). The rhizome extract was shown good antimicrobial activity against fungi (11 to 22mm) when compared with the gram negative bacteria (9.5 to 15mm) and gram positive bacteria (9.5 to 13mm) (Kaladhar et al., 2014). The Kaempferia galanga rhizome extracts was shown good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. ...
Article
Full-text available
Rhizoctonia solani can infect plants belonging to > 32 families and 188 genera. This pathogen also causes major yield loss worldwide in many crops like: rice, green gram, cowpea, gram and groundnut, soybean, maize, jowar, wheat and bajra etc. Essential oils are natural, volatile complex terpenoid compounds characterized by a strong and specific odour. These secondary metabolites are formed by aromatic plants and are obtained by hydro-distillation technique. The essential oils were isolated from roots and rhizomes of three plants belonging to family Zingiberaceae. In vitro experiments using essential oils isolated from these plants were found effective against Rhizoctonia solani. The root oil of Alpinia galanga, showed best antifungal efficacy at 500 ppm in inhibiting 40% growth and development in different stages of life cycle of R. solani. However, among all three essential oils tested, the A. galanga root oil was found most effective than rhizome oils from Kaempferia galanga and A.galanga. Results suggested the possible exploitation of these oils as potential fungal control agents of botanical source. Fungicidal formulations can be prepared using these oils for agricultural applications.
Article
Background Medicinal plants remained the primary choice worldwide from several centuries due to many therapeutic effects in the management of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Therefore, exploration of new medicinalplants as a green medicine has the major concern of many research groups. Microbial infections and different types of cancers in human are among the common health problems both in developing as well as in developed countries. Medicinal plants as a source of anti-microbial and anti-cancer agents are still in their initial stage in modern medicine. Objectives So current research work was planned to explore the anti-fungal and anticancer potential of Calotropis procera. Material and Methods C. procera leaves were collected from local area of Faisalabad, Pakistan, and phytochemical, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities were studied following reference methods. In vitro anti-microbial study of methanolic extracts of C. procera leaves against different strains of fungal was performed. Results Results showed that plant extract in a dose of 5 mg/mL have significant (P < 0.05) antifungal activity. Moreover, the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera displayed strong anti-cancer activity in breast cancer cells (MCF-7), with a cytotoxic activityat 200 μg/mL comparable to that found for Taxol as standard drug. Conclusion Findings of current research work showed that the leaf extracts of C. procera has strong potential as an antibacterial, antifungal and anti-cancer agent. However, characterization and purification of phytochemicals is required to develop drug from natural resources.
Article
Full-text available
The vegetation of the Steel City (Rourkela) of Odisha, India has high ethnobotanical values by virtue of its rich floral diversity. People in the urban area are highly dependent on the plants available in and around the city for their primary needs. The present study highlights the use of local flora, explore, identification, ethnobotany and conservation of wild and cultivated plant species in the city of Rourkela, Odisha, India. It also pays heed to the proper utilization of urban flora as a way of highlighting its ethnopharmacological importance. A field survey was conducted to collect information about floral diversity in and around the city. Data on the use of plants was collected with a semi-structured questionnaire and from the peer-reviewed literature. A total of 154 plant species, belonging to 128 genera and 55 families, were identified, along with their botanical name, vernacular name, family and habitat. Of these plant species, 53 are medicinal, 43 are ornamental, and 33 are edible, while 23 are weeds. Paderia foetida and Saraca asoka fall into the RET (rare, endangered and threatened) group and are very effective against various diseases. Traditional uses of local plants in an urban area like Rourkela are very interesting. This shows that, not only rural and tribal areas are rich in useful bio-resources but so are urban or semi-urban areas. The documentation of all useful flora with ethnomedicinal potential is helpful in conserving plant biodiversity as well as in environmental studies along with potential applications in drug discovery and oriental medicine.
Article
Full-text available
Abstract:AnewstrainABB-4wasidentifiedasStreptomycesbangladesh iensisfromthesoilofNatore,Bangladesh.Thispaperdescribestheisolationandcharacterizationofbis-(-ethylhexyl)phthalatefromthisnewStreptomycesspecies with the help of various chemical andspectroscopic methods. This is the first report ofa phthalicacidderivativeproduced biosynthetically fromStreptomycesspeciesandit alsoshowedmoderateantimicrobialactivitiesagainstmosttestedGrampositive,Gramnegativebacteriaandsomepathogenicfungi.Key words:Index:Streptomyces bangladeshiensis ,bis-(-ethylhexyl) phthalate, antimicrobial activities. (PDF) Characterization and antimicrobial activities of a phenolic acid derivative produced by Streptomyces bangladeshiensis, a novel species collected in Bangladesh. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288266198_Characterization_and_antimicrobial_activities_of_a_phenolic_acid_derivative_produced_by_Streptomyces_bangladeshiensis_a_novel_species_collected_in_Bangladesh [accessed Jul 18 2020].
Article
Full-text available
The spread of multidrug-resistant strains of fungus and the reduced number of drugs available, makes it necessary to discover new classes of antifungals and compounds that inhibit these resistant mechanisms. This has led to a search for therapeutic alternatives, particularly among medicinal plants and compounds isolated from them used for their empirically antifungal properties. In these natural sources, a series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungus have been found, which are of great importance to humans and plants. In this article, we review the main sources of molecules with antimycotic activity obtained from the natural environment.
Article
Full-text available
Indirect shoot regeneration of E. nummularius was achieved by culturing terminal buds and flower on MS medium supplemented with various auxins (IAA and 2, 4-D) and Cytokinins (BA and Kn). Present protocol includes devising effective sterilization methods in treatment of explants. Weekly sub culturing to the media with same composition produced better results. Enormous amount of calli having regenerative potential were formed from the explants when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2, 4-D+1 mg/l BA. Different concentrations and combinations tested on MS medium containing 3 mg/l BA+ 0.5 mg/l IAA produced highest number of shoots per gram calli. Rooting was more at concentration of 1 mg/l IAA. The plantlets have shown eighty percent survival rate while transferring from in vitro to natural environment.
Article
Full-text available
There is an increasing demand for the herbal drug treatment of various ailments and many plant drugs from Ayurvedic system are being explored globally. The biological activities from various clinical and preclinical studies have been included along with some patents arising from these plants. The original report acts as a quick reference for extracting the biological activities, specially the newly reported effects, of the following selected Indian medicinal plants Adhatoda vasica, Aegle marmelos, Aloe vera, Andrographis paniculata, Asparagus adscendents, Cinnamomum tamala, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hemidesmus indicus, Mucuna pruriens, Phyllanthus niruri, Solanum nigrum, Syzygium aromaticum, Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale.
Article
In this study, the antioxidant activity of water and ethanol extracts of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed (FS) was evaluated by various antioxidant assay, including total antioxidant, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal chelating activities and reducing power. Those various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and α-tocopherol. The water and ethanol extracts of FS seeds showed strong antioxidant activity. 100 μg of water and ethanol extracts exhibited 99.1% and 77.5% inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system, respectively, and greater than the same dose of α-tocopherol (36.1%). The both extracts of FS have effective reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities. This antioxidant property depends on concentration and increasing with increased amount of sample. In addition, total phenolic compounds in the water and ethanol extracts of fennel seeds were determined as gallic acid equivalents. The results obtained in the present study indicated that the fennel (F. vulgare) seed is a potential source of natural antioxidant. Although, the tests presented here show the usefulness of FS extracts as in vitro antioxidants it still needs to be that this extracts show their activity in emulsions, biological systems, health implications or dry foods.
Article
Various abiotic stresses lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants which are highly reactive and toxic and cause damage to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA which ultimately results in oxidative stress. The ROS comprises both free radical (O(2)(-), superoxide radicals; OH, hydroxyl radical; HO(2), perhydroxy radical and RO, alkoxy radicals) and non-radical (molecular) forms (H(2)O(2), hydrogen peroxide and (1)O(2), singlet oxygen). In chloroplasts, photosystem I and II (PSI and PSII) are the major sites for the production of (1)O(2) and O(2)(-). In mitochondria, complex I, ubiquinone and complex III of electron transport chain (ETC) are the major sites for the generation of O(2)(-). The antioxidant defense machinery protects plants against oxidative stress damages. Plants possess very efficient enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; glutathione reductase, GR; monodehydroascorbate reductase, MDHAR; dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; guaicol peroxidase, GOPX and glutathione-S- transferase, GST) and non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid, ASH; glutathione, GSH; phenolic compounds, alkaloids, non-protein amino acids and α-tocopherols) antioxidant defense systems which work in concert to control the cascades of uncontrolled oxidation and protect plant cells from oxidative damage by scavenging of ROS. ROS also influence the expression of a number of genes and therefore control the many processes like growth, cell cycle, programmed cell death (PCD), abiotic stress responses, pathogen defense, systemic signaling and development. In this review, we describe the biochemistry of ROS and their production sites, and ROS scavenging antioxidant defense machinery.
Article
This study focused on the investigation of plants used for the treatment of wounds and sores by local people living around the Ongoye forest, KwaZulu-Natal. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in eighty homesteads in this area. The ethnobotanical data revealed that 33 plant species were used in treating sores and wounds, but only 15 plant species were collected from the wild and homesteads and three plant species were bought from a muthi market. According to the ethnobotanical information Hypericum aethiopicum (unsukumbili) was the most used plant for treating sores and wounds in this area. The survey showed that women (62.5%) possessed more knowledge than the men (37.5%) who were interviewed at the homesteads regarding the medicinal uses of plants. Acetone, methanol, cold and hot water extracts from the different plant parts (bark, leaves, stems and the whole plant) were done on 18 species. These plants species are: Acanthospermum australe, Acorus calamus, Albizia adianthifolia, Baccharoides adoensis, Clerodendrum hirsutum, Combretum erythrophyllum, Faurea saligna, Gerbera ambigua, Gunnera perpensa, Hypericum aethiopicum, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Lippia javanica, Pentanisia prunelloides, Sclerocarya birrea, Solanum aculeastrum, Trichilia dregeana, Warburgia salutaris, Ziziphus mucronata. The above-mentioned plants were screened for antibacterial activity against the following bacteria strains: Bacillus subtilis (6051), Escherichia coli (7751, U1405s, U16406, U16403), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13883), Staphylococcus aureus (12600, P5020, P4790, T1266), ‘Salmonella spp., Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei’. The antibacterial activities were determined by disk-diffusion, agar-well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and bio-autographic methods. The plant extracts were also screened for the following phytochemicals: alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides and tannins. The following plants were the most effective against the micro-organisms tested: Gunnera perpensa, Hypericum aethiopicum, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Lippia javanica, Pentanisia prunelloides, Trichilia dregeana and Warburgia salutaris. The bio-autographic results showed several compounds separated on the TLC with activity against the test organism, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC2600). This study thus lends some support to traditional knowledge and may serve as a basis for selecting the most active medicinal plants to use in traditional medicine practices in the future. Submitted for partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree MASTERS OF SCIENCE In the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology University of Zululand, 2009. The Medical Research Council (MRC), the University of Zululand Research Council and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Article
Family Zingiberaceae consists of large number of medicinal plants and is well known for its use in ethnomedicine. The objective of this study is to systematically analyse and document the traditional knowledge regarding the use of Zingiberaceous plants for the treatment of various human ailments from NE India, adding information to the valuation of biodiversity and, to forward suggestions for its sustainable use, conservation and for future pharmacological studies. A survey on the utilization of medicinal plants belonging to Zingibereceae of North-eastern states was carried out by interviewing herbalists followed by collecting plant specimens and identifying the specimen. Ethnobotanical information on traditional plants was catalogued through structured questionnaires in consultations with traditional healers. A total of 34 species were documented belonging to 9 genera of Zingiberaceae for about 25 types of ailments, 67.6% of which were used in curing multiple disorders. Arunachal Pradesh hosts maximum number of Zingiberaceous plant (88%). Rhizomes were found to be the primary plant material as a source for medication and poultices as the predominant mode of preparation. Gastrointestinal conditions (58%) and chest and lungs (41%) related ailments were the main categories for which these plants are used. The study establishes Zingiberaceae as a medicinal family since 41% of all the available Zingiberaceous plant species in NE were found to possess medicinal value. Some new use of herbs also appeared in this study for the first time.