Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 41 in total

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  1. Jusoh S, Sirat HM, Ahmad F
    Nat Prod Commun, 2013 Sep;8(9):1317-20.
    PMID: 24273875
    The essential oils from the leaves, pseudostems, rhizomes and fruits of Alpinia rafflesiana were isolated by hydrodistillation. The oils were analysed by capillary GC and GC-MS. The most abundant components in the leaf oil were trans-caryophyllene (32.61%), caryophyllene oxide (8.67%), (2E,6Z)-farnesol (4.91%) and alpha-terpineol (4.25%), while 1,8-cineole (32.25%), myrcene (13.63%), alpha-terpineol (9.90%) and trans-caryophyllene (9.80%) were the main constituents in the pseudostem oil. The rhizome constituted of tetracosane (42.61%), tau-cadinol (7.46%), alpha-terpineol (6.71%) were the major components, whereas tetracosane (13.39%), (2E,6E)-farnesol (7.31%), alpha-terpineol (8.51%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.05%) were the main components in the fruit oil. Antimicrobial assay revealed that all the essential oils showed moderate to weak inhibition against the tested microorganisms. The leaf oil was the most active and inhibited both S. aureus and E. coli with MIC values of 7.81 microg/mL and 15.6 microg/mL, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  2. Sirat HM, Jani NA
    Nat Prod Res, 2013;27(16):1468-70.
    PMID: 22946537 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2012.718772
    Hydrodistillation of the fresh leaves of Alpinia mutica afforded 0.005% colourless essential oil. GC and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 33 components accounting for 92.9% of the total oil, dominated by 20 sesquiterpenes (76.7%) and 10 monoterpenes (8.3%). The major constituent was found to be β-sesquiphellandrene which was 29.2% of the total oil. Soxhlet extraction, followed by repeated column chromatography of the dried leaves yielded two phenolic compounds, identified as 5,6-dehydrokawain and aniba dimer A, together with one amide assigned as auranamide. The structures of these compounds were determined by using spectroscopic analysis. Antibacterial screening of the essential oil, the crude and isolated compounds showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  3. Sirat HM, Basar N, Jani NA
    Nat Prod Res, 2011 Jun;25(10):982-6.
    PMID: 21644178 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2010.529079
    The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the rhizomes of Alpinia aquatica Rosc. syn. Alpinia melanocarpa and Alpinia malaccensis Roscoe were analysed by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Eighteen compounds, representing 98.4% of the essential oil were identified in A. aquatica rhizome oil, with β-sesquiphellandrene in 36.5% being the major constituent, while 20 compounds representing 99.7% of the rhizome oil of A. malaccensis were identified, among which methyl (E)-cinnamate (78.2%) was the major constituent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  4. Ahmad Rohi Ghazali, Fazrina Hamzah, Wan Marahaini Wan Razali, Norizah Awang
    MyJurnal
    Alpinia conchigera (lengkuas kecil) merupakan sejenis tumbuhan herba yang sering digunakan sebagai rawatan alternatif
    dalam bidang perubatan tradisional. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menilai kesan sitotoksik, genotoksik serta mod kematian
    sel yang disebabkan oleh ekstrak heksana A. conchigera ke atas sel hepar Chang. Asai MTT selama 24 jam telah dijalankan
    untuk mengenal pasti peratus viabiliti sel hepar Chang setelah dirawat dengan ekstrak heksana A. conchigera. Keputusan
    menunjukkan terdapat penurunan viabiliti sel secara signifi kan (p < 0.05) dengan nilai IC50 (8.6 μg/ml) berbanding kawalan
    negatif. Berdasarkan nilai IC50 ini, pewarnaan AO/PI dilakukan untuk menentukan mod kematian sel hepar Chang iaitu sama
    ada secara apoptosis atau nekrosis. Didapati bahawa terdapat perbezaan secara signifi kan (p < 0.05) bagi mod kematian
    sel hepar Chang secara apoptosis berbanding kawalan negatif. Dalam kajian ini, penentuan tahap kerosakan DNA sel
    hepar Chang turut dilakukan dengan menggunakan asai komet beralkali dengan nilai IC10 dan IC25 yang diperoleh daripada
    asai MTT (4 μg/ml dan 6 μg/ml) masing-masing. Setelah sel hepar Chang dirawat dengan ekstrak heksana A. conchigera
    selama 2 jam, didapati terdapat perbezaan secara signifi kan (p < 0.05) bagi peratus kerosakan DNA bagi kumpulan rawatan
    berbanding kawalan negatif. Kesimpulannya, ekstrak heksana A. conchigera memberi kesan sitotoksik dan genotoksik
    terhadap sel hepar Chang serta menyebabkan kematian sel secara apoptosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia
  5. Malek SN, Phang CW, Ibrahim H, Norhanom AW, Sim KS
    Molecules, 2011 Jan 14;16(1):583-9.
    PMID: 21240148 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16010583
    The methanol and fractionated extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and water) of Alpinia mutica (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes were investigated for their cytotoxic effect against six human carcinoma cell lines, namely KB, MCF7, A549, Caski, HCT116, HT29 and non-human fibroblast cell line (MRC 5) using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The ethyl acetate extract possessed high inhibitory effect against KB, MCF7 and Caski cells (IC₅₀ values of 9.4, 19.7 and 19.8 µg/mL, respectively). Flavokawin B (1), 5,6-dehydrokawain (2), pinostrobin chalcone (3) and alpinetin (4), isolated from the active ethyl acetate extract were also evaluated for their cytotoxic activity. Of these, pinostrobin chalcone (3) and alpinetin (4) were isolated from this plant for the first time. Pinostrobin chalcone (3) displayed very remarkable cytotoxic activity against the tested human cancer cells, such as KB, MCF7 and Caski cells (IC₅₀ values of 6.2, 7.3 and 7.7 µg/mL, respectively). This is the first report of the cytotoxic activity of Alpinia mutica.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  6. Sivasothy Y, Ibrahim H, Paliany AS, Alias SA, Awang K
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2013 Dec 1;23(23):6280-5.
    PMID: 24144849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.09.082
    The rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis Ridley yielded a new bis-labdanic diterpene for which the name pahangensin A (1) was proposed along with a new labdane diterpene, pahangensin B (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including, 1D and 2D NMR techniques and LCMS-IT-TOF analysis. Pahangensin A (1) was found to be an antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis with MIC values less than 100 μg/mL, respectively. Pahangensin B (2) exhibited antibacterial activity (MIC <100 μg/mL) against B. cereus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  7. Chan EW, Wong SK
    J Integr Med, 2015 Nov;13(6):368-79.
    PMID: 26559362 DOI: 10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60208-4
    In this review, the phytochemistry and pharmacology of two ornamental gingers, Hedychium coronarium (butterfly ginger) and Alpinia purpurata (red ginger), are updated, and their botany and uses are described. Flowers of H. coronarium are large, showy, white, yellow or white with a yellow centre and highly fragrant. Inflorescences of A. purpurata are erect spikes with attractive red or pink bracts. Phytochemical investigations on the rhizomes of H. coronarium generated research interest globally. This resulted in the isolation of 53 labdane-type diterpenes, with little work done on the leaves and flowers. Pharmacological properties of H. coronarium included antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, chemopreventive, anti-allergic, larvicidal, anthelminthic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-urolithiatic, anti-angiogenic, neuro-pharmacological, fibrinogenolytic, coagulant and hepatoprotective activities. On the contrary, little is known on the phytochemistry of A. purpurata with pharmacological properties of antioxidant, antibacterial, larvicidal, cytotoxic and vasodilator activities reported in the leaves and rhizomes. There is much disparity in terms of research effort within and between these two ornamental gingers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  8. Loo KY, Leong KH, Sivasothy Y, Ibrahim H, Awang K
    Chem Biodivers, 2019 Jun;16(6):e1900032.
    PMID: 30957403 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201900032
    The inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes in human digestive organs is crucial in controlling blood sugar levels, which is important in treating type 2 diabetes. In the current study, pahangensin A (1), a bis-labdanic diterpene characterized previously in the rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis Ridl., was identified as an active dual inhibitor for α-amylase (IC50 =114.80 μm) and α-glucosidase (IC50 =153.87 μm). This is the first report on the dual α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of a bis-labdanic diterpene. The Lineweaver-Burk plots of compound 1 indicate that it is a mixed-type inhibitor with regard to both enzymes. Based on molecular docking studies, compound 1 docked in a non-active site of both enzymes. The dual inhibitory activity of compound 1 makes it a suitable natural alternative in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/metabolism; Alpinia/chemistry*
  9. Abdullah F, Subramanian P, Ibrahim H, Abdul Malek SN, Lee GS, Hong SL
    J Insect Sci, 2015;15(1):175.
    PMID: 25688085 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieu175
    Dual choice bioassays were used to evaluate the antifeedant property of essential oil and methanolic extract of Alpinia galanga (L.) (locally known as lengkuas) against two species of termites, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) and Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). A 4-cm-diameter paper disc treated with A. galanga essential oil and another treated with either methanol or hexane as control were placed in a petri dish with 10 termites. Mean consumption of paper discs (miligram) treated with 2,000 ppm of essential oil by C. gestroi was 3.30 ± 0.24 mg and by C. curvignathus was 3.32 ± 0.24 mg. A. galanga essential oil showed significant difference in antifeedant effect, 2,000 ppm of A. galanga essential oil was considered to be the optimum concentration that gave maximum antifeedant effect. The essential oil composition was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major component of the essential oil was 1,8-cineol (61.9%). Antifeedant bioassay using 500 ppm of 1,8-cineol showed significant reduction in paper consumption by both termite species. Thus, the bioactive agent in A. galangal essential oil causing antifeeding activity was identified as 1,8-cineol. Repellent activity shows that 250 ppm of 1,8-cineol caused 50.00 ± 4.47% repellency for C. gestroi, whereas for C. curvignathus 750 ppm of 1,8-cineol was needed to cause similar repellent activity (56.67 ± 3.33%). C. curvignathus is more susceptible compare to C. gestroi in Contact Toxicity study, the lethal dose (LD50) of C. curvignathus was 945 mg/kg, whereas LD50 value for C. gestroi was 1,102 mg/kg. Hence 1,8-cineol may be developed as an alternative control against termite in sustainable agriculture practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/physiology; Alpinia/chemistry*
  10. Taib MNAM, Anuar N, Hanafiah KM, Al-Shammary AAK, Saaid M, Awang K
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2020 Apr;31(1):159-178.
    PMID: 32963717 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2020.31.1.10
    Alpinia conchigera Griff. is a plant species from the family Zingiberaceae. Coloquially known as wild ginger, Alpinia conchigera Griff. is used as food condiment and for traditional treatment of skin diseases. Isolation studies to identify bioactive compounds of rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera yielded seven compounds; 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (1), trans-p-coumaryl diacetate (2), p-hydroxycinnamyl acetate (3), 1'S-1'-hydroxychavicol acetate (4) p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5), stigmasterol (6) and β-sitosterol (7). Compounds 1, 2 and 5 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among the compounds tested, Compound 1 showed good antimicrobial activity against the strain of MRSA with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of 0.5 mg/mL. Meanwhile, Compounds 2 and 5 exhibited moderate activity with MIC value between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL. These findings indicate antimicrobial potential of 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (1), compound derived from rhizome of Alpinia conchigera Griff. against MRSA, which warrant further investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia
  11. Ibrahim H, Sivasothy Y, Syamsir DR, Nagoor NH, Jamil N, Awang K
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:430831.
    PMID: 24987733 DOI: 10.1155/2014/430831
    The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the unripe and ripe fruits of Alpinia mutica Roxb. and Alpinia latilabris Ridl. were analysed by capillary GC and GC-MS. The oils were principally monoterpenic in nature. The unripe and ripe fruit oils of A. mutica were characterized by camphor (21.0% and 15.8%), camphene (16.6% and 10.2%), β-pinene (8.6% and 13.5%), and trans,trans-farnesol (8.0% and 11.2%), respectively. The oils of the unripe and ripe fruits were moderately active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum. 1,8-Cineole (34.2% and 35.9%) and β-pinene (20.2% and 19.0%) were the two most abundant components in the unripe and ripe fruit oils of A. latilabris. The oil of the unripe fruits elicits moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton mentagrophytes while Candida glabrata was moderately sensitive to the oil of the ripe fruits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  12. Feroz SR, Mohamad SB, Bujang N, Malek SN, Tayyab S
    J Agric Food Chem, 2012 Jun 13;60(23):5899-908.
    PMID: 22624666 DOI: 10.1021/jf301139h
    Interaction of flavokawain B (FB), a multitherapeutic flavonoid from Alpinia mutica with the major transport protein, human serum albumin (HSA), was investigated using different spectroscopic probes, i.e., intrinsic, synchronous, and three-dimensional (3-D) fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and molecular modeling studies. Values of binding parameters for FB-HSA interaction in terms of binding constant and stoichiometry of binding were determined from the fluorescence quench titration and were found to be 6.88 × 10(4) M(-1) and 1.0 mol of FB bound per mole of protein, respectively, at 25 °C. Thermodynamic analysis of the binding data obtained at different temperatures showed that the binding process was primarily mediated by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding, as the values of the enthalpy change (ΔH) and the entropy change (ΔS) were found to be -6.87 kJ mol(-1) and 69.50 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. FB binding to HSA led to both secondary and tertiary structural alterations in the protein as revealed by intrinsic, synchronous, and 3-D fluorescence results. Increased thermal stability of HSA in the presence of FB was also evident from the far-UV CD spectral results. The distance between the bound ligand and Trp-214 of HSA was determined as 3.03 nm based on the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism. Displacement experiments using bilirubin and warfarin coupled with molecular modeling studies assigned the binding site of FB on HSA at domain IIA, i.e., Sudlow's site I.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry
  13. Pillai MK, Young DJ, Bin Hj Abdul Majid HM
    Mini Rev Med Chem, 2018;18(14):1220-1232.
    PMID: 28969549 DOI: 10.2174/1389557517666171002154123
    The plant Alpinia officinarum of the ginger family originated in China and is used throughout South and South-East Asian countries to flavor food and as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. This review summarizes the biological, pharmacological and phytochemical properties of extracts and subsequently isolated compounds from A. officinarum. In vitro and in vivo studies of both extracts and pure compounds indicate a wide variety of potent bioactivities including antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiobesity, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory and remarkable antiviral properties. The latter is particularly promising in the face of emerging, virulent respiratory diseases in Asia and the Middle East.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/metabolism; Alpinia/chemistry*
  14. Misni N, Nor ZM, Ahmad R
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2016 Jun;32(2):117-23.
    PMID: 27280349 DOI: 10.2987/moco-32-02-117-123.1
    Based on an ethnobotanical study on use for plant species against mosquito bites in the Kota Tinggi District, Johor State, Malaysia, 3 plants selected for study, Citrus aurantifolia (leaves), Citrus grandis (fruit peel), and Alpinia galanga (rhizome), were extracted using hydrodistillation to produce essential oils. These essential oils were then formulated as a lotion using a microencapsulation process and then tested for their repellent effect against Aedes aegypti. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet) was also prepared in the same formulation and tested for repellency as controls. Four commercial plant-based repellent (KAPS(®), MozAway(®), BioZ Natural(®), and Mosiquard(®)) also were incorporated in the bioassay for comparison purposes. Bioassays revealed that at 20% concentration all repellent formulations demonstrated complete protection for 2 h and >90% for 4 h post-application. The A. galanga-based formulation provided the greatest level of protection (98.91%), which extended for 4 h post-application and was not significantly different from deet at similar concentration. When compared with commercial plant-based repellents (KAPS(®), MozAway(®), and BioZ Natural(®)), the 3 lotion formulations showed significantly better protection against Ae. aegypti bites, providing >90% protection for 4 h. In conclusion, our 3 plant-based lotion formulations provided acceptable levels of protection against host-seeking Ae. aegypti and should be developed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia
  15. Aziz AN, Ibrahim H, Rosmy Syamsir D, Mohtar M, Vejayan J, Awang K
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2013 Feb 13;145(3):798-802.
    PMID: 23266278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.024
    The rhizome of Alpinia conchigerahas been used as a condiment in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia and occasionally in folk medicine in the east coast to treat fungal infections. In some states of Peninsular Malaysia, the rhizomes are consumed as a post-partum medicine and the young shoots are prepared into a vegetable dish. This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents of the pseudostems and rhizomes of Malaysian Alpinia conchigera and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of the pseudostems, rhizomes and the isolated compounds against three selected fungi and five strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia*
  16. Mohamad H, Abas F, Permana D, Lajis NH, Ali AM, Sukari MA, et al.
    Z Naturforsch C J Biosci, 2005 1 26;59(11-12):811-5.
    PMID: 15666539
    The methanol extract of the dried ripe fruits of Alpinia rafflesiana was investigated for its DPPH free radical scavenger constituents. 2',3',4',6'-Tetrahydroxychalcone (7), which has never been isolated from natural sources was found to be most active as a DPPH free radical scavenger with the IC50 value of 55 microM. Other known compounds isolated from this species include 5,6-dehydrokawain (1), flavokawin B (2). 1,7-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-6-hepten-3-one (3), (-)-pinocembrin (4), cardamonin (5) and (-)-pinostrobin (6). The DPPH free radical scavenger compounds were detected using TLC autographic analysis. The percentage inhibition of DPPH free radical scavenging activity was measured on isolates (5-7) using colorimetric analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  17. Haslinda MS, Aiyub Z, Bakar NK, Tohar N, Musa Y, Abdullah NR, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2015 Mar;32(1):129-39.
    PMID: 25801263
    An antiplasmodial screening of Phyllanthus debilis and Phyllanthus urinaria was carried out. The medicinal plants were extracted and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against D10 (chloroquine-sensitive, CQS) and Gombak A (chloroquine-resistant, CQR) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The methanolic crudes from the soxhlet extraction were active against both strains however, P. urinaria (IC50 8.9 μg/ml with CQR strain) exhibited better anti-malarial activity compared to P. debilis (IC50 12.2 μg/ml with CQR strain). Furthermore, the methanolic crude of P. urinaria obtained by the cold extraction has good anti-malarial activity towards CQS (IC50 4.1 μg/ml). The concentration of macronutrients (calcium and magnesium) and trace metals (copper, manganese, iron and zinc) from three Phyllanthus species i.e. P. debilis Klein ex Wild., Phyllanthus niruri L., P. urinaria L. and Alpinia conchigera Griff. were determined using microwave digestion method and analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Standard Reference Material 1547 (peach leaves) was used to validate the method throughout this study. The recovery values were in the range of 80% to 120% which were in very good agreement with the certified values. The three Phyllanthus species and leaves of A. conchigera showed the highest concentration of calcium compared to other metals and macronutrients studied. The significant presence of all the important macronutrients and trace metals which are essential for human health and well-being substantiate their use medicinally in traditional practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  18. Sivasothy Y, Ibrahim H, Paliany AS, Alias SA, Md Nor NR, Awang K
    Planta Med, 2013 Dec;79(18):1775-80.
    PMID: 24356874 DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1351075
    The rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis yielded a new bis-labdanic diterpene for which the name pahangensin C (1) was proposed along with twelve known analogues (2-13). The structure of 1 was elucidated via spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and LCMS-IT-TOF analysis. Compounds 2 and 12 were isolated for the first time from the genus Alpinia. This is the second occurrence of compounds 2 and 12 in the Zingiberaceae family. Selected analogues exhibited moderate to strong inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  19. Al-Adhroey AH, Nor ZM, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Mahmud R
    Molecules, 2010 Nov 16;15(11):8366-76.
    PMID: 21081857 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15118366
    The methanolic extract of Languas galanga rhizomes was investigated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei (NK65) infections in mice. The median lethal dose was determined to ascertain the safety of the extract in ICR mice of both sexes. The antimalarial activities during early and established infections, as well as the prophylactic activity were evaluated. Phytochemical screening and radical scavenging activity of the extract were also investigated to elucidate the possible mechanism of the antimalarial properties. The acute oral toxicity (LD₅₀) of Languas galanga extract in mice was established to be 4.998 mg/kg. The extract of Languas galanga rhizomes demonstrated significant antiplasmodial activity in all the three models of the antimalarial evaluations. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some vital antiplasmodial constituents such as terpenoids and flavonoids. The extract also exhibited a moderate capacity to scavenge the free radicals. The rhizome extract of Languas galanga thus possesses antimalarial activity, which explains the rational usage of this plant in traditional Malaysian medicine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
  20. Reddy AS, Abd Malek SN, Ibrahim H, Sim KS
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013 Nov 12;13:314.
    PMID: 24215354 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-314
    BACKGROUND: Alpinia scabra, locally known as 'Lengkuas raya', is an aromatic, perennial and rhizomatous herb from the family Zingiberaceae. It is a wild species which grows largely on mountains at moderate elevations in Peninsular Malaysia, but it can also survive in the lowlands like in the states of Terengganu and Northern Johor. The present study reports the cytotoxic potential of A. scabra extracts from different parts of the plant.

    METHODS: The experimental approach in the present study was based on a bioassay-guided fractionation. The crude methanol and fractionated extracts (hexane, chloroform and water) from different parts of A. scabra (leaves, rhizomes, roots and pseudo stems) were prepared prior to the cytotoxicity evaluation against human ovarian (SKOV-3) and hormone-dependent breast (MCF7) carcinoma cells. The identified cytotoxic extracts were then subjected to chemical investigations in order to identify the active ingredients. A normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) was used to determine the specificity for cancerous cells. The cytotoxic extracts and fractions were also subjected to morphological assessment, DNA fragmentation analysis and DAPI nuclear staining.

    RESULTS: The leaf (hexane and chloroform) and rhizome (chloroform) extracts showed high inhibitory effect against the tested cells. Ten fractions (LC1-LC10) were yielded after purification of the leaf chloroform extract. Fraction LC4 which showed excellent cytotoxic activity was further purified and resulted in 17 sub-fractions (VLC1-VLC17). Sub-fraction VLC9 showed excellent cytotoxicity against MCF7 and SKOV-3 cells but not toxic against normal MRC-5 cells. Meanwhile, eighteen fractions (RC1-RC18) were obtained after purification of the rhizome chloroform extract, of which fraction RC5 showed cytotoxicity against SKOV-3 cells with high selectivity index. There were marked morphological changes when observed using phase-contrast inverted microscope, DAPI nuclear staining and also DNA fragmentations in MCF7 and SKOV-3 cells after treatment with the cytotoxic extracts and fractions which were indicative of cell apoptosis. Methyl palmitate and methyl stearate were identified in the hexane leaf extract by GC-MS analysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained from the current study demonstrated that the cell death induced by cytotoxic extracts and fractions of A. scabra may be due to apoptosis induction which was characterized by apoptotic morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. The active ingredients in the leaf sub-fraction VLC9 and rhizome fraction RC5 may lead to valuable compounds that have the ability to kill cancer cells but not normal cells.

    Matched MeSH terms: Alpinia/chemistry*
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