Role of spices in Phytomedicine - An overview

ABSTRACT

Phytomedicines are plant derived substances used for medicinal purposes with great potential and abundance. Spices have a traditional history of use as natural products that have been extensively used worldwide in healthrelated problems as well as medicinal purposes such as in enhancing immunity and providing numerous health benefits. The major spices such as small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton), pepper (Piper nigrum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc), turmeric (Curcuma longa L), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L), mustard (Brassica nigra L) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) are playing important roles in phytomedicine to cure various human diseases. The active ingredients of spices which includes cardamom (1,8-cineole, alpha-terpinyl acetate, sabinene and beta-linalool), pepper (piperine), ginger (Gingerol, shogaol and zerumbone), turmeric(curcumin) and cumin (cumin aldehyde, eugenol, pinene, phenolic acids). Cardamom is coined as Queen of spices and is used for medicinal purposes both in modern and indigenous systems. Cardamom essential oil has antioxidant, antiseptic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, antispasmodic, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, gastroprotective and insecticidal properties. It is also used as an aphrodisiac. It is helpful in reducing the irritation endured during premenstrual strain. It works well against respiratory trouble thus helping to ease coughs and to warm up the body. The seeds of cardamom are considered to be stimulant, carminative, stomachic, diuretic, cardiotonic and abortifacient. They are useful in treating bronchitis, haemorrhoids, strangury, renal and vesical calculi, anorexia, dyspepsia and gastropathy. They are chewed to prevent bad breath and pyrosis i.e. excessive watering in the mouth. Adding powdered cardamom seeds can impart a very pleasant aroma to the tea, which is also used as medicine for scanty urination, diarrhoea, palpitation of the heart, exhaustion due to overwork and depression among other things. Pepper is often referred to as King of spices' 'and has anticancer, antimicrobial, anti- inflammatory and antiglycan properties. The antioxidant activity of black pepper comes from alkaloid-derived piperine which inhibits free radicals and reactive oxygen species, reduces lipid peroxidation and positively affects antioxidant molecules, antioxidant enzymes and cellular thiol status. Ginger is a rhizomatic spice crop containing various phenolic substances and antioxidant compounds in addition to the antioxidant properties, these compounds have antiglycan activity and other potential antidiabetic effects. In addition to this, Gingerol, shogaol and zerumbone are bioactive compounds of ginger. Gingerol is the most effective compound that has an antidiabetic activity and increases glucose uptake. Ginger is widely used for dyspepsia, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, nausea and as astringent (an agent that causes shrinkage of mucous membranes or exposed tissues and that is often used internally to check discharge of blood serum or mucous secretions) used as an alternative medicine for the inflammation treatment, low back pain and also used to treat acute tonsillitis. Turmeric is also preferred as an anti-inflammatory agent in traditional medicine for the treatment of skin disorders, wounds, digestive and liver problems. Turmeric is especially valuable for curcumin, which is one of the main components of turmeric. Curcumin together with other related pigments, gives the plant a yellow color. Chemically, these pigments are polyphenols, which are called curcuminoids. Curcumin is shown to have potential antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. As a traditional remedy, turmeric has also been quite extensively used for centuries to treat various disorders such as rheumatism, body ache, skin diseases, intestinal worms, diarrhoea, intermittent fevers, hepatic diseases, urinary discharges, dyspepsia, inflammations, constipation, leukoderma, amenorrhea, dental diseases, digestive problem such as dy pepsia and acidity, indigestion, flatulence, ulcers and colic inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, colitis and hepatitis. The spice crop, mustard has various bio active compounds containing carotenes, phenolic substances such as quercetin and kaempferol. Among these compounds glucosinolates have been recognized as potential anticancer agents. Cumin contains cumin aldehyde, eugenol, pinene and some other small compounds in cumin oil are active antimicrobial agents against pathogens. In addition, cumin seeds are rich in phenols and flavonoids and contain a wide spectrum of phenolic acids such as galial, cinnamic, rosmarinic, cumaric and vanillic acids. Cumin seeds are used for the treatment of dyspepsia and diarrhoea especially because of the active compound called cuminaldehyde. It is also believed that it is also used for the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek is used as an aphrodisiac, astringent, demulcent action, carminative, stomachic, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, expectorant, restorative and tonic. Fenugreek also used for a variety of health situations including digestive disorders, bronchitis, tuberculosis infection, fevers, sore throat, arthritis, abscesses, swollen glands, skin irritations reaction, loss of appetite, ulcers and menopausal symptoms, diabetes as well as in the treatment of cancerous infection. Leaves infusion is used as a gargle for treatment of mouth ulcers. It also overcomes problem related to reduce blood sugar level and to lower blood pressure. In the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the mixed extracts of spices such as pepper, cardamom, clove, turmeric and ginger were found effective in reducing the Covid-19 pandemic due to the antiviral properties of these spices.