Synonyms:
Amomum montanum Koenig.; Cassumunar roxburghii Colla.; Zingiber luridum Salisb.; Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Sietrich.; Zingiber purpureum Rosc [1]
Vernacular
Names:
Malaysia: Bonglai, Bangle, Bolai, Kunyit terus
putih, Lampoyang kuning; Lia Betong, Tepus Merah (Iban)
English: Bengal ginger, cassumunar ginger, Bitter
ginger
Indonesia: Banglai, Bengle, Mungle (Acheh), Bungle
(Batak), Kunik Bolai (Minang), Panglai (Sunda), Pandhiyang (Madura) Panglai
(Sunda), Pandhiyang (Madura), Bale (Makasar), Panini (Bugis), Unin makei
(Ambon)
Thailand: Phlai, puloei, wan-fai
Vietnam: Gung do
India: Jangliadrak, Bun-ada (Hindi); Car-puspoo
(Telagu), Vanardraka (Sanskrit); Karallamu, Kadushunti, Peju, Peyu, Aardikaa,m
Shringaberikaa, Adarakhi, Bana-adarakhi
French: Gingembre marron
German: Blockzitwer, Gelber Zitwer
Spanish: Jengibre amargo
Puerto Rico: Jengibre Colorado [1]
Description:
Zingiber
cassumunar is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. It is an erect herb
with subterranean stem called rhizome. The rhizome is jointed but much larger
than Zingiber officinale, when fresh it is of deep yellow colour possessing a
strong camphoraceous smell, warm, spicy and bitterish taste. The pseudo stem is
made up of leave sheaths. The leaflets are bifarious, approximate, sessile on
their sheaths, linear-lanceolate, deep green above; villous and paler
underneath. They measure between 30-60 cm long and 7.5 cm wide. The sheaths are
clothed with pungent hairs on the outside. The scapes are radical measures from
15-30 cm long, invested in several oblong, downy sheaths. The spikes are oblong
in shape, strobiliform, compact, sharp-pointed, closely imbricated with
numerous obovate, acuminate, greenish brown, villous bractes. The flowers are
solitary, large, of pale, uniform sulphur colour. The calyx are double with
smooth exterior, spathiform, tri-dentate, inserted round the base of the germ,
which, as well as the inner, or proper perianth, it entirely envelopes. Inner
or proper perianth, superior, one-leaved, somewhat gibbous, membraneous,
three-toothed on the outside divided nearly half way down. The corola tube
slender, as long as the scale of the spikel upper division of the exterior
border boat-shaped, projecting over the stamen; under, two narrower and
reflexed under the lip. The 3-lobed lip with lateral lobes obliquely obovate,
erect; middle lobe nearly round, with apex, emarginate, and the border slightly
curled. Another ending in a long subulate recurved beak. [1]
Zingiber cassumunar Roxb.
Plant Part
Used: Rhizomes [1]
Chemical
Constituents:
Cassumunarin A, cassumunarin B, cassumunarin C, Cassumunin
C, terpinen-4-ol, alpha and beta-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, terpinene,
limonene, p-cymene, terpinolene, phenyl buteonic dimers,
(E)-4-(3’,4’-dimethoxyphenyl)-but-3-en-l-ol [4], [9], [10]
Traditional
Used:
The rhizome of Z.
cassumunar is considered to be a carminative, stimulant and antispasmodic
and is made used of in the treatment of digestive problems like diarrhoea,
stomachache, flatulance and constipation. [1] In Indonesia the rhizome is
chewed together with clove and the residue is rubbed over the abdomen to
relieve colics in children. In Malaysia a decoction of the rhizome with pepper
given orally is used instead to treat stomachache. Plain decoction of the
rhizome or an infusion of it is given for constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence
and as a vermifuge. [2]
To treat hepatitis or jaundice the Indonesians use
grated rhizome juice mixed with water and honey. This is given twice a day.
Decoction or infusion of the rhizome of is also used
to treat asthma and cough.
Z. cassumunar
is one of the components of a compound medicine given to women immediately
after delivery. For purposes of cleansing the uterus the rhizome is pounded
together with the rhizome of Acorus calamus, the juice is squeezed and mixed
with vinegar. Another method of utilizing it in the immediate postpartum period
is to use it as a poultice to allow rapid involution of the uterus. For post
partum fever the pounded rhizome is used as a compress over the whole body.
The genus Zingiber is well known for their
anti-inflammatory property. Z. cassumunar
is also used to treat all forms of inflammatory conditions. It is used to treat
infective inflammatory processes like non-healing ulcers, abscesses and
gonorrhoea. For non-healing ulcers the pounded rhizome is applied over the
ulcer and secured with a bandage. Haematoma is treated by immersing the pounded
rhizome in arrack and this is compressed over the lesion.
To help reduce weight the rhizome is mixed with 7
leaves of Guazuma ulmifolia and the decoction is given orally while still warm.
Special for women the rhizome is boiled together with the leaves of Guazuma
tomentosa and is taken daily for one month.
For improving visual acuity a decoction of the
rhizome of Z. cassumunar, Curcuma
domestica together with 13 Nigella sativa seeds is given orally. Infusion of
the rhizome is also an antidote and is also used to treat fever. The juice from
grated rhizome is also given for worm infestation, flatulance and fretfulness
of children. [3]
Pharmacology:
Anti-inflammatory
activity:
As cited above Z.
cassumunar has been used as an anti-inflammatory drug in traditional
practices all over the world. Investigators had over the years studied this
activity in the rhizome and had isolated a number of compounds that had shown
this activity. Three compounds isolated from the n-hexane-soluble fraction of
methanol extract i.e. (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) but-1-ene,
(E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene and zerumbone. One compound showed the
anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of the plant and that is
(E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-1-ene. [4] Further studies done on
(E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-1-ene reported similar effects and they ilicited
the mechanism of action as being due to inhibition of the CO and LO pathway;
more so with the LO pathway. [5] In a more recent study on the
anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity another pheylbutanoid isolated showed
COX-2 inhibitory activity. The compound is
(E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside. [6]
Antimicrobial
activity
Z. cassumunar
rhizome is used in the treatment of infective lesion of the skin including
furunculosis and abscesses. Studies on the antimicrobial activity of the
essential oil on a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,
dermatophytes and yeasts reported that dermatophytes were the most susceptible
organism followed by yeasts and finally bacteria. [7]
Anti-allergic
activity
In Thailand the rhizome of Z. cassumunar is used to treat various allergic-related
diseases. Studies on the anti-allergic activity of some members of the
Zingiberacea anf found that amongst those plants tested, the volatile oil of Z.
cassumunar had amongst the highest anti-allergic activity. [8]
Anti-oxidant
activity
Two groups of compounds were found to be responsible
for anti-oxidant activity of Z. cassumunar. The yellow colour of the rhizome is
attributed to the presence of curcuminoids in the substance. New curcuminoids
isolated showed significant anti-oxidant activity Which are called Cassumunin
and Cassumunin A and B possess a potent protective action against oxidative
stress. [9] Isolation of new phenylbutanoids was discovered which showed
inhibitory effects to nitric acid production in mouse peritoneal macrophages.
Amongst those with significant inhibitory effects are phlain III (IC50=24
microM), (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene (69 microM),
(E)-1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene (83 microM), and cassumunaquinone
1 (47 microM). [10]
Anticancer activity
In a screening for anti-tumour promoter activity in
Malaysian ginger, rhizome extracts of these plants including Z. cassumunar
contain natural non-toxic compounds that inhibit the EBV activation. [11] A
phenylbutanoid dimer (+/-)-trans-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxystyryl]
cyclohex-1-ene was reported to be able to inhibit proliferation of various
human cancer cells. This is further observed on anti-proliferative effects on
A549 human lung cancer cells and demonstrated that it arrested cell cycle
progression at the G0/G1 phase. Further studies of the effects of
phenylbutanoids from Z. cassumunar on P-glycoprotein activity and reported that
(+/-)-trans-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxystyryl] cyclohex-1-ene
has significant ihibitory effects on P-gp inhibitory activity making it a
potential chemo-sensitizing agent that could reverse the P-gp-mediated
multidrug resistance (MDR) in human cancer chemotherapy. [12]
References:
1. C. P.
Khare. Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary. Berlin: Springer;
2007.733.
2. H.C.
Ong. Rempah-ratus: khasiat makanan & ubatan. Kuala Lumpur: Utusan
Publications; 2008.82–83.
3. I.F. Muhlisah. Temu- temuan & Empon-empon,
Budi Daya dan Manfaatnya. Yogyakarta :Penerbit Kanisius; 1999.21-23.
4. Y.
Ozaki, N. Kawahara, M. Harada. Anti-inflammatory effect of Zingiber cassumunar
Roxb. and its active principles. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).
Sep1991;39(9):2353-2356.
5. R.
Jeenapongsa, K. Yoovathaworn, K.M. Sriwatanakul, U. Pongprayoon, K.
Sriwatanakul. Anti-inflammatory activity of (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)
butadiene from Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. J Ethnopharmacol.
Aug2003;87(2-3):143-148.
6. A.R.
Han, M.S. Kim, Y.H. Jeong, S.K. Lee, E.K. Seo. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory
phenylbutenoids from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar. Chem Pharm Bull
(Tokyo). Nov2005;53(11):1466-1468.
7. P.
Pithayanukul, J. Tubprasert, M. Wuthi-Udomlert. In vitro antimicrobial activity
of Zingiber cassumunar (Plai) oil and a 5% Plai oil gel. Phytother Res.
Feb2007;21(2):164-169.
8. S.
Tewtrakul, S. Subhadhirasakul. Anti-allergic activity of some selected plants
in the Zingiberaceae family. J Ethnopharmacol. 12Feb2007;109(3):535-538.
9. T.
Nagano, Y. Oyama, N. Kajita, L. Chikahisa, M. Nakata, E. Okazaki, T. Masuda.
New curcuminoids isolated from Zingiber cassumunar protect cells suffering from
oxidative stress: a flow-cytometric study using rat thymocytes and H2O2. Jpn J
Pharmacol. Dec1997;75(4):363-370.
10. S.
Nakamura, J. Iwami, H. Matsuda, H. Wakayama, Y. Pongpiriyadacha, M. Yoshikawa.
Structures of new phenylbutanoids and nitric oxide production inhibitors from
the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).
Nov2009;57(11):1267-1272.
11. S.
Vimala, A.W. Norhanom, M. Yadav. Anti-tumour promoter activity in Malaysian
ginger rhizobia used in traditional medicine. Br J Cancer.
Apr1999;80(1-2):110-116.
12. S.Y.
Chung, A.R. Han, M.K. Sung, H.J. Jung, J.W. Nam, E.K. Seo, H.J. Lee. Potent
modulation of P-glycoprotein activity by naturally occurring phenylbutenoids
from Zingiber cassumunar. Phytother Res. Apr2009;23(4):472-476.
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