Research progress and discussion on traditional Chinese medicine properties of Kaempferia parviflora / 中国中药杂志

Kaempferiae Parviflorae Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Kaempferia parviflora in Zingiberaceae. It is originated and widely distributed in Thailand and other tropical and subtropical regions, where it has been used as food and medicine for thousands of years. K. parviflora is also planted in Yunnan and other places of China, but its traditional Chinese medicine properties are not clear, which greatly limits its compatibility with traditional Chinese medicines. In this article, the English and Chinese literatures of K. parviflora were searched from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases for research and analysis. The medicinal properties of K. parviflora were preliminarily discussed based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine under the guidance of clinical application and research literatures. The traditional Chinese medicine properties of K. parviflora were inferred as follows: flat, acrid, sweet. The channel tropisms of K. parviflora included kidney, spleen, stomach, and liver. The function of K. parviflora included tonifying kidney to strengthen essence, tonifying Qi and invigorating spleen, soothing liver and relieving depression. K. parviflora was clinically applied for the diseases such as syndrome of kidney essence deficiency, sex apathy, deficiency of spleen Qi, lassitude and asthenia, a weary spirit, obesity, diabetes, liver Qi stagnation, depression, and restless. The equivalent of dry power is 1.5 g·d~(-1) and the equivalent of decoction is 1.5-6 g·d~(-1). The determination of traditional Chinese medicine properties of K. parviflora has indeed laid a theoretical foundation for its application in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and enriched traditional Chinese medicine resources.

In vitro cytotoxic and toxicological activities of ethanolic extract of Kaempferia galanga Linn. and its active component, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate, against cholangiocarcinoma / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the cytotoxic, apoptotic, mutagenic and immunomodulatory activities of Kaempferia galanga Linn. (KG) extract and ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) in vitro.@*METHODS@#The present study investigated the cytotoxic [using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide test], apoptotic (using a mitochondrial membrane potential assay), mutagenic (using a micronucleus test) and immunomodulatory (using flow cytometry) activities of the ethanolic extract of KG and its bioactive component, EPMC, against two cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines, CL-6 and HuCCT1, and one normal human cell line, OUMS-36T-1F.@*RESULTS@#Both KG extract and EPMC exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against both CCA cells. The cytotoxic activity was supported by their concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis. CL-6 was most sensitive (3-4 fold) and selective to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), compared with KG extract and EPMC [median half inhibiting concentration (IC) and selectivity index (SI) were 23.01 μg/mL and 17.32; 78.41 μg/mL and 4.44; 100.76 μg/mL and 2.20, respectively for 5-FU vs. KG extract vs. EPMC]. HuCCT1 was relatively more sensitive and selective to 5-FU and EPMC than KG extract [median IC and SI were 66.03 μg/mL and 6.04; 60.90 μg/mL and 3.65; 156.60 μg/mL and 2.23, respectively for 5-FU vs. EPMC vs. KG extract]. EPMC produced relatively potent cytotoxic activity against polymorphonuclear cells (IC = 92.20 μg/mL). KG extract and EPMC exhibited concentration-dependent mutagenic activity, as well as inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6.@*CONCLUSION@#Considering cytotoxic, apoptotic, immunomodulatory and mutagenic activities, further development of KG as a drug candidate is likely to focus on the oral pharmaceutical formulation of a standardized KG extract rather than isolated compounds.

Population Structure Of Kaempferia Galanga L. From Eastern India

Objective: India has been a producer of a large number of aromatic medicinal plants which serves as a valuable genetic resource for future quality improvement to meet the ever-growing demand of human essential products. Thus, an urgent need arises for germplasm conservation of these high yielding varieties to help the pharmaceutical and other industries. For this understanding, the population structure is essential in order to explore their genetic identification by fingerprinting and molecular characterization. Methods: In the present study DNA was isolated using modified Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) method and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed according to standardized method along with its data analysis. This study was undertaken to characterize the highly medicinal Kaempferia galanga collected from 4 different populations of Odisha using the molecular markers as Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats for the first time. Results: A dendrogram constructed through Sequential Agglomerative Hierarchical and Nested (SAHN) clustering and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis showed an average similarity of 0.993 ranging between 0.967 to 1.000. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient of combined markers segregated the genotypes into two main clusters, 1 with six samples and the others at 0.98 similarity coefficient. Conclusion: Hence, the molecular analysis could be further used for the identification of important novel gene present in Kaempferia galanga which can be utilized for future crop improvement as well as pharmacological activities.

Kaempferia parviflora ethanol extract improves self-assessed sexual health in men: a pilot study / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sexual health positively correlates with overall wellbeing. Existing therapeutics to enhance male sexual health are limited by factors that include responsiveness, adherence and adverse effects. As the population ages, safe and effective interventions that preserve male sexual function are needed. Published research suggests that various preparations of Kaempferia parviflora, a plant in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, support cardiovascular health and may ameliorate erectile function.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to examine the effects of KaempMax™, an ethanol extract of the K. parviflora rhizome, on erectile function in healthy middle-aged and older men.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>We conducted an open-label, one-arm study on 14 generally healthy males aged 50-68 years with self-reported mild erectile dysfunction, who were not using prescription treatments. Participants took 100 mg KaempMax™ daily for 30 days.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>Evaluations were conducted at baseline and on the final study assessment. Primary efficacy analyses included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); secondary efficacy analyses included the Global Assessment Question about erectile function.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen participants completed the 30-day study. Supplementation with KaempMax™ resulted in statistically significant improvements in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction and total scores on the IIEF questionnaire. KaempMax™ was well tolerated and exhibited an excellent safety profile.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that KaempMax™ may improve erectile function in healthy middle-aged and older men. While the effects were not as pronounced as what might be seen with prescription medication, most participants found them satisfactory. Additional, longer and placebo-controlled clinical trials will be needed.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03389867.</p>

Analysis of Volatile Components in Kaempferia Galanga Linn. from Different Habitats / 中国药师

Objective:To lay the material foundation for the research of subsequent pharmacological activities by the analysis of volatile components in Kaempferia galanga Linn. from different origins. Methods:It was the first time that headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) technique was used to extract and analyze the volatile chemical components in Kaempferia galanga Linn. from Guangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan, and the area normalization method was used to calculate the mass fraction of each component. Results:Totally 42 chemical constituents were identified,mainly terpenoids,hydrocarbons,esters and aromatic compounds. A total of 41 chromatographic peaks were isolated from the volatile substances in Guangxi and 38 chemical constituents were identified,which accounted for 99.78% of the total of the volatile components. Totally 37 chromatographic peaks were isolated from the volatile substances in Guangdong, and 26 chemical constituents were identified, which accounted for 80.49% of the total of the volatile components. A total of 31 chromatographic peaks were isolated from the volatile compounds of Yunnan,and 24 chemical constituents were identified,which accounted for 64.72% of the total of the volatile components.Conclusion:The volatile components in Kaempferia galanga Linn. from Guangxi,Guangdong and Yunnan show little difference,and the characteristic components of the three habitats are methoxy cinnamate ethyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate and pentadecane, however, the relative contents of the three characteristic components from the three areas are much different,which are 45.02%,17.18% and 9.08% for Guangxi,41.08%,16.25% and 8.04% for Guangdong,and 30.78%,15.66% and 7.89% for Yunnan. One of the main active components in Kaempferia galanga Linn. is methoxy cinnamate ethyl cinnamate,which can be inferred that the quality of Kaempferia galanga Linn. from Guangxi and Guangdong is better than that from Yunnan. This experiment also provides evidence for the geoherbalism of Kaempferia galanga Linn.,and provides reference for the further development of the herb.

Safety Evaluation of Methoxyflavones Mixture (Ⅱ) from Kempferia parviflora：28-day Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity Test / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Kaempferia parviflora rhizome is used folk medicines for treatment of various symptoms in Thailand since anticent times.Several types of methoxyflavones has been identified in this plant and their physiological functions have been reported.We determined that six kinds of methoxyflavones (5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone) were included in the 80% ethanol extract of K. parviflora rhizome.The safety of six methoxyflavones mixture was evaluated with 28-day repeated oral dose toxicity test in mice.These results indicated no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, organ weight, blood biochemical analyses.

Content Determination of Kaempferol in Kaempferia galanga by HPLC / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the content determination of kaempferol in Kaempferia galanga. METH-ODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Diamonsil ODS2 C18 with mobile phase of methanol-0.4% Phosphoric acid solution at a flow rate of 1 ml/min,detection wavelength was 367 nm,column temperature was 30℃,and injection volume was 10 μl. RE-SULTS:The linear range of kaempferol was 0.001 58-0.158 mg/ml;RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were low-er than 3%;recovery was 95.52%-99.32%(RSD=1.47%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate and reproduc-ible,and can be used for the content determination of kaempferol in K. galanga.

Simultaneous Determination of Quercetin and Kaempferol inKaempferia Galanga L. by HPLC / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of quercetin and kaempferol inKaempferia galanga L..Methods ODS2 C18 (5μm, 4.6 mm×150 mm) was used as chromatographic column; methanol-0.4% phosphate (47:53) was the mobile phase; the flow rate was 1 mL/min; column temperature was 30℃; the detection wavelength was 367 nm; the injection volume was 10μL.Results Quercetin showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.016 5–1.65μg (r=0.999 7). The average recovery rate was 96.8%, RSD=2.02%; kaempferol showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.014 6–1.46μg (r=0.999 5). The average recovery rate was 97.3%, RSD=1.77%.Conclusion The method is simple, accurate, and with good reproducibility, which can be used for content determination of quercetin and kaempferol inKaempferia galanga L..

Anti-osteoporotic and Antioxidant Activities by Rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker

In this report, we investigated the antioxidant (peroxyl radical-scavenging and reducing capacities) and anti-osteoporotic activities of extracts and isolated constituents (1 - 16) from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker on pre-osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells. Compound 5 exhibited significant peroxyl radical-scavenging capacity, with TE value of 8.47 ± 0.52 µM, while compound 13 showed significant reducing capacity, with CUPRAC value of 5.66 ± 0.26 µM, at 10.0 µM. In addition, flavonoid compounds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and terpene compound 15 showed significant inhibition of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in NF-κB ligand-induced osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells, with values ranging from 16.97 ± 1.02 to 64.67 ± 2.76%. These results indicated that K. parviflora could be excellent sources for the antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic traditional medicinal plants.

Safety Evaluation of Methoxyflavones Mixture (Ⅰ)from <i>Kempferia parviflora</i>; 28-day Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity Test and Mouse Micronucleus Test / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Kaempferia parviflora rhizome is used in traditional folk medicines for the treatments of various symptoms in Thailand since ancient times. Several types of methoxyflavones were identified from that plant and the functions of some of those were reported. We determined that five kinds of methoxyflavones (5-hydroxy-3,7,3’,4’-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,4’-trimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,4’-dimethoxyflavone) were included the following treatments of K. parviflora rhizome. The 80 %ethanol extract of that were adsorbed resin, removed 70 % ethanol elution and the rest adsorbed materials were eluted with 99.5 % ethanol. The safety of that five methoxyflavones mixture was evaluated. We performed a 28-day repeated dose of oral toxicity test and a mouse micronucleus test. The former results showed no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, organ weight, blood biochemical analyses. The latter results showed negative, believed that the sample has no mutagenicity for living bodies.

Effects of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker on electrophysiology of the swine hearts.

Background & objectives: Pre-clinical studies in swine have demonstrated that a supratherapeutic concentration of sildenafil citrate decreased defibrillation efficacy and facilitated cardiac arrhythmia. We therefore, decided to investigate the effects of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) extract on these parameters in the swine heart. The underlying assumption was that in the heart, KP might be producing effects similar to sildanafil citrate as KP has long been used in southeast Asian traditional medicine to correct erectile dysfunction. Methods: The study was conducted as the defibrillation study, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) induction study. In both studies, the defibrillation threshold (DFT), the upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) and VF threshold were determined before and after KP extract administration. Results: In both studies KP extract at high concentrations (100 and 50 mg/kg) significantly increased the DFT and ULV, without altering the VF threshold. At these concentrations, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also attenuated. Interpretation & conclusions: High concentrations of KP extract attenuated defibrillation efficacy and increased cardiac vulnerability to arrhythmia in a normal swine heart. When used in appropriate concentrations, its blood pressure lowering effect may be useful in hypertensive states. Further studies need to be done to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Evaluation of antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of alcoholic extract of kaempferia galanga in rats.

Alcoholic extract of Kaempferia galanga was tested for analgesic and antiinflammatory activities in animal models. Three doses, 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg of the plant extract prepared as a suspension in 2 ml of 2% gum acacia were used. Acute and sub acute inflammatory activities were studied in rats by carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma models respectively. In both models, the standard drug used was aspirin 100 mg/kg. Two doses 600 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg of plant extract exhibited significant (P<0.001) antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan model and cotton pellet granuloma model in comparison to control. Analgesic activity was studied in rats using hot plate and tail-flick models. Codeine 5 mg/kg and vehicle served as standard and control respectively. The two doses of plant extract exhibited significant analgesic activity in tail flick model (P<0.001) and hot plate model (P<0.001) in comparison to control. In conclusion K. galanga possesses antiinflammatory and analgesic activities.

Mechanisms of Kaempferia parviflora extract (KPE)-induced vasorelaxation in the rat aorta

Background: The rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) have been widely used in Thai traditional medicine to treat several diseases such as hypertension. Recent studies have shown that the ethanolic extract of KP (KPE) exerts vasorelaxant effects in the rat aorta. However, the underlying mechanisms of these vascular responses remain unclear. Objectives: Investigate the mechanisms of KPE-induced vasorelaxation in the rat aorta. Methods: Aortic rings from male Wistar rats were precontracted with methoxamine. Changes in tension were measured using an isometric force transducer and recorded on the MacLab recording system. Vasorelaxation to KPE was examined in the presence of 10 μM indomethacin, 300 μM NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 60 mM KCl, 5 mM tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), 10 μM glibenclamide, 1 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or 30 μM barium chloride (BaCl2). The effects of KPE on vascular responses to carbachol, sodium nitroprusside, and CaCl2 were evaluated. Results: KPE (0.1-100 μg/mL) caused vasorelaxations, which were reduced with removal of the endothelium. In addition, indomethacin, L-NAME, and indomethacin plus L-NAME reduced KPE-induced vasorelaxation. Raising the extracellular KCl concentration to 60 mM, or pre-treatment with BaCl2, TEA, or glibenclamide reduced relaxant responses to KPE. Contractions to CaCl2 were inhibited after pre-incubation with KPE. Pre-treatment with KPE enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxations to carbachol, but not to sodium nitroprusside. Conclusion: KPE had a vasodilator effect in the rat isolated aortic rings. These effects involved endotheliumderived NO and prostanoids via a COX pathway. In addition, KPE-induced vasorelaxation was due to increasing K+ efflux probably through KCa, KIR and KATP channels. These provide pharmacological evidence for mechanism of KPE-induced vasorelaxation and support the traditional use of KPE as an antihypertensive agent.

Rapid multiplication and in vitro production of leaf biomass in Kaempferia galanga through tissue culture

An efficient protocol has been established for rapid multiplication and in vitro production of leaf biomass in Kaempferia galanga L, a rare medicinal plant. Different plant growth regulators like Benzyladenine (BA), Indoleacetic acid (IAA), Indolebutyric acid (IBA), Napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and adenine sulphates (Ads) have been tried for induction of multiple shoots using lateral bud of rhizome as explants. The highest rate of shoot multiplication (11.5 +/- 0.6) shoot/explant as well as leaf biomass production (7.4 +/- 0.3) gram/explant was observed on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with Benzyladenine (1 mg/l) and Indoleacetic acid (0.5 mg/l). Data of shoot multiplication and leaf biomass production were statistically analysed. Upon excission of leaves after 2 months of culture under sterile condition, the base of each plantlet was transferred to fresh media which could produce the same leaf biomass within another 2 months in a 50 ml culture tube containing 20 ml and 250 ml conical flasks containing 30 ml Murashige and Skoog medium. The rate of multiplication and leaf biomass production remained unchanged in subsequent subcultures. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized in greenhouse and subsequently transferred to the field. Survival rate of the plantlets under ex vitro condition was 95 percent. Genetic fidelity of the regenerants was confirmed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. The protocol could be commercially utilized for large scale production of true-to-type plantlets and as an alternative method of leaf biomass production in Kaempferia galanga.

Determination of main component in volatilization oil from Kaempferia Galanga L / 中华中医药杂志

Objective:To analyze and determine the main component in volatilization oil which is extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Kaempferia galanga L.Methods:Volatilization oil is obtained by steam-distillation from commercial available Kaempferia galanga L..After re-crystallization,GC-MS,UV-Vis,NMR,IR were processed for analysis and structure determination.Results:The m/z=205 peak in MS represents the quasi-molecular ion peak.The strongest absorption peak at 304nm in UV-Vis shows that there is big conjugated system in the molecule.Along with the data of chemical shifts and coupling constants of 1H-NMR,13C-NMR and wave numbers of IR absorption peaks,the main ingredient of Kaempferia galanga L.volatilization oil is verified as ethyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-(E)-acrylate.Conclusion:We have employed advanced methods in separation and analysis in the determination of structure of the main ingredient in volatilization oil extracted from Kaempferia galanga L.and get detailed data to support the results,the methods are reliable and the results are dependable.