Phytochemical Constituents of Kaempferia galanga L.

 Phytochemical Constituents of Kaempferia galanga L. 

Bioactive compounds derived from plants, have enriched the chemical and pharmaceutical sector since long time. Any medicinally recognized plant is characterized by the diversity of chemical and pharmacological constituents. Kaempferia galanga L. has complex of various constituents which are very popular in many countries for disease management. A total of 49 compounds including 05 esters, 15 terpenoids, 02 flavonoids, 03 thiourea derivatives, 09 polysaccharides, 06 diarylhaptanoids, 01 phenolic glycoside, 03 phenolic acids, 04 benzoic acids and 01 cyclic lipodepsipeptide have been identified from K. galanga (Kumar 2020).  Rhizomes of the plant have been reported to have different types of volatile oils including ethyl cinnamate, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate, γ-cadinene, 1,8-cineole, δ-carene, borneol, ethyl-m-methoxycinnamate, camphene, linoleoyl chloride and α-pinene (Kumar 2014). K. galanga  rhizome was found to have secretory sacs containing volatile oil, oleoresin and starch grains which were also found in the parenchyma cells. In addition with  volatile oil it also contain several other compounds like alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, aminoacids, minerals and fatty substances (Truntiwachwuttikul et al. 1991; Wong et al. 1992).The major chemical constituents of the volatile oil from the dried rhizome of Kaempferia galanga are ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (31.77%), methyl cinnamate (23.23%), carvone (11.13%), eucalyptol (9.59%) and pentadecane (6.41%), respectively (Dash et al. 2014; Munda et al. 2018). Major biological activity of the essential oil is mostly due to these major compounds. Though some of the minor components are also responsible for its pharmaceutical activity, not much emphasize or effort has been put on these minor components. Among the minor constituents of the rhizome some have gained attention of present scientists. These are cineol, borneol, 3-carene, camphene, kaempferol, cinnamaldehyde, p-methoxycinnamic acid, and ethyl cinnamate (Dash et al. 2014).  In addition the plant  retains huge amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorous and magnesium in higher amount with the appreciable quantity of iron, manganese, zinc, cobalt, and nickel (Srivastava et al. 2019).

 

About 98.98% of essential oil constituents have been isolated and identified with only 1.11% constituents that are still unknown (Huang et al. 2008). The most abundant essential oil constituents include propanoic acid, pentadecane, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate. Other constituents include 1,8-cineol, undecanone, isopropyl cinnamate, dicyclohexyl propanedinitrile, dipentene dioxide, 9-hydroxy, 2-nonanone, 2,7- octadiene-1-yl acetate, ethyl cyclohexyl acetate, cis-11- tetradecenyl acetate, 2-heptadecanone, 4-methyl isopulegone, camphidine, trans,trans-octa-2, 4-dieny acetate, 10 undecyn-1-ol, 3,7-dimethoxycoumarin, delta- 3-carene, alpha pinene, camphene, borneol, cymene, alphaterpineol, alpha gurjunene, germacrenes, cadinenes, caryophyllenes, luteolin and apigenin (Khare et al. 2004, Othman et al. 2006, Sutthanont et al. 2010, Koh et al. 2009). Extract and purified compounds of the plant are effectively provide health benefits to human.

 

Mechanism of action of active compounds:

Kaempferia galanga L. shows therapeutic roles in health management due to its various phytoconstituents. But the actual molecular mechanisms in the prevention of pathogenesis is still not understood properly. Some  researchers  considered that  the therapeutic implication of the  plant is due to the rich source antimicrobial substances and other active compounds. The rhizomes of the plant are widely used in East Asia for a wide range of medicinal applications. Leaves and flowers of K. galanga contain flavonoids. For aroma and flavour these components are used in food stuffs and beverages. Leaves are also used as a perfume in washing hairs. The leaves possess antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities that help in treatment of mouth ulcers and headaches (Sulaiman et al. 2008; Chan et al. 2009). The ashes of leaves are rubbed on swollen breasts after childbirth while fresh leaves are chewed for relieving coughs (Sulaiman et al. 2008). The leaves and rhizomes are used in cosmetics and herbal powders (Hali et al. 2006). The plant is also effectively used in aroma therapy and forms one of the ingredients in pain relief ayurvedic massage blends (Huang et al. 2008).

 

Therapeutic uses:

Kaempferia galanga L. is one of the famous plant species having medicinal efficacy. Various investigators have confirmed the biological and pharmacological attributes of different bioactive compounds of the plant. Several scientific investigations also examined antibiotic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheic, antispasmodic, and sedative effects, as well as anti cancer activities of the plant species. Active compounds of the plant play role in diseases via activation of antioxidant enzymes, inactivation of  toxic substance, lethal and inhibitory activity of growth and development of pathogens etc through the regulation of cytological pathways. Indigenous medicinal practitioners use the different parts of the plant Kaempferia galanga L. for the treatment of  various common health disorders like fever, common cold, digestion problem, wound, pain etc. The rhizome has immense importance in the traditional health care system as a carminative, cholera, anti-inflammatory, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and stomachic as well as in the diseases of coughs, pectoral affections, and stoppage of the nasal blocks (Dash et al. 2014).  Extract of rhizome of the plant is frequently used abdominal pain in women (Mokkhasmit et al. 1971; Hirschhorn 1983; Tewtrakul et al. 2005). It is also useful to get rid of dirty blood and get through periods smoothly (Kanjanapothi  et al. 2004; Samodra and Febrina 2019). The rhizomes and root stocks are good for dyspepsia, leprosy, skin diseases, rheumatism, asthma etc (Kirtikar and Basu 1996). The leaves possess antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities that help in treatment of mouth ulcers and headaches (Sulaiman et al. 2008; Chan et al. 2009).