Alpinia Galangal anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities.
Researchers have proposed the benefits of galangal in certain inflammatory conditions.
Recently, Korean scientists isolated six diarylheptanoids from the rhizome of
Alpinia officinarum or galangal. All these compounds demonstrated inhibitory
activities on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage
cell line RAW 264.7. Furthermore, these compounds suppressed expression of the
inducible NO synthase protein and mRNA. Separately, Japanese researchers prepared
80% aqueous acetone extract of the galangal. This extract was found to contain
diarylheptanoids and galangin and it was also able to inhibit nitric oxide (NO)
production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.
These findings including results from some other studies are important to understand
galangal's anti-inflammatory activities.
Galangal
may benefit people at risk of cancer.
In a study of COR L23 lung cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, UK researchers
showed the anti-cancer activities of galangal extracts. As described in the
previous section, galangal contains a flavonoid-galangin. Galangin has shown
to have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activities. It modulates
enzyme activities and suppresses the genotoxicity of chemicals.
Galangal also has a volatile oil. Researchers have shown this volatile oil could
enhance effectively the skin permeation of 5-fluorouracil.
Galangal
may have benefits of lipid-lowering.
Researchers from China found that the galangal extract could potently inhibit
fatty-acid synthase (FAS, E.C.2.3.1.85). They proposed the inhibitory mechanism
is related to the activities of the main flavonoids existing in the galangal
such as galangin, quercetin and kaempferol. While, Korean researchers showed
a pancreatic lipase inhibitor, 5-hydroxy- 7-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone
(HPH), from the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum significantly lowered the serum
TG level in corn oil feeding-induced triglyceridemic mice, and reduced serum
triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol in Triton WR- 1339-induced hyperlipidemic
mice. Finally, another group demonstrated an ethyl acetate fraction of Alpinia
officinarum rhizome containing 3-methylethergalangin was a potent lipase inhibitor
in a study of hyperlipidemic mice.
Galangal
may help emesis.
Japanese researchers found an ingredient of galangal has enti-emetic activities
in chicken.
Usage:
Cooking, tea. compound, capsules
Worldwide, lymphedema is most commonly caused by filariasis (a parasite infection), but in the U.S., lymphedema most commonly occurs in women who have
had breast cancer surgery, particularly when followed by radiation treatment.
Lymphedema (anthelmintic infection)
ABSTRACT (Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 25(2) Mar - Apr 2014)
The burden of ill health due to anthelmintic infection increasing day by day, in addition to this present anthelmintics are suffering from the problems of resistance and side effects, so it is strictly recommended to find out the anthelmintic drug with assured safety and less chances of resistance. Ayurveda is considered as one
of the safest s of natural medicine and number of plants are reported for anthelmintic use, but activity of those plantsis not proved scientifically in case of number of plants.
The present study is based on the same objective so as to make an attempt to find out, to evaluate and to prove the anthelmintic activity of plant Alpinia galangal Willd.
Extraction was made by maceration, freshly prepared extract was first used for in vitro anthelmintic activity against earth worms by using Albendazol
as standard. Current study found that the plant Alpinia galangal Willd. possess good anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner.
Potential
side effects :
Very High doses may cause hallucinations. Acid-inhibiting drugs,
such as antacids, sucralfate, H2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors, may
interact with this herb due to alpinia's increase of stomach acid.
Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.
- No additives, heat or chemicals -
Folklore:
Beyond
the high content of essential oil in the rhizome, little is known of the chemistry
of the plant. Galanga has been known in the west for hundreds of years to native
Americans for its stimulant and tonic properties and was claimed to reduce fever
and indigestion. Tibetan incense makers use red galanga in formulas to elevate
awareness, overcome physical exhaustion, and create a mood for contemplation.
Although this herb has been enjoyed as a culinary
spice for centuries. Galangal root also has a long history of use in folk magic,
including hoodoo root magic. Reputedly, chewing the root and spitting on the
floor is a sure-fire way to win a court case. Alternatively, wearing oil infused
with the root is said to balance the scales of justice in your favor. |