Alpinia zerumbet (Atoumo) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Alpinia zerumbet (Atoumo) — family Zingiberacées.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 6 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The monograph draws on 60 scientific references recorded for the species.

Therapeutic indications in alcoholic extraction:

Note: scientific reference excerpts are kept in their original language (most often English), without translation, to respect the source text of publications.

1. Adjuvant treatment of liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma and leukaemia : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Doxorubicine-like.
   According to ROMAN Jr Walter A (2017): The hydroalcoholic extract inhibited cellular proliferation only at high concentrations, while the dichloromethane extract showed a moderate antiproliferative effect against leukemia & lung tumor cell lines. Pinostrobin showed potent activity against leukemia & breast tumor cell lines & moderate cytostatic effect against ovarian cell. According to Chuang CM (2011): More importantly, the significant reduction in hepatic TG & total cholesterol (TC) implicated a crucial liver protective effect.
2. Anxiety, nervousness : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Diazepam-like.
   According to MURAKAMI S (2009): Schum.) (EOAZ) is used for neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, stress and anxiety, and chronic problems that are associated with reproductive hormone imbalances in women. According to ROMAN Jr WA (2013): Alpinia zerumbet, Zingiberaceae, is traditionally used in Brazil to treat hypertension, inflammation, anxiety, & hysteria. In the tail suspension test, HEA (400 & 800 mg/kg but not 200 mg/kg) & diazepam significantly increased time spent in the light side.
3. Vasoconstriction, adjunctive treatment for angina pectoris : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Nitroglycérine-like.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use and full scientific references are available in the complete monograph.

Photo credit : Photo from the Traditional Martinique Pharmacopoeia.