Investigating Zingiber officinale Rhizome’s Phytochemical Make-Up and Bioactivity: A Comparison of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts for Anti-Fungal, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Bacterial Properties - Shafiq Ali Shah; Iqrah Ashfaq; Farah Abid; Mahnoor Naeem Khan (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2024)
The medicinal value of Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizome is investigated in the present study. Many ailments, including cancer, heartburn, migraines, inflammation, nausea, and vomiting, are commonly treated with Zingiber officinale. Its key components, which support its health-promoting qualities, include phenolics, terpenes, organic acids, polysaccharides, lipids, gingerols, and shogaols. Using ethanol and water as solvents, the current study on Zingiber officinale seeks to determine the phytochemical makeup of the plant as well as its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-dandruff properties. Maceration was used in the preparation of the extracts for the study, and reference techniques were followed for proximate analysis and qualitative phytochemical analysis of the primary and secondary metabolites, respectively. To find out if there were any volatile chemicals in the most active extract, GCMS analysis was also carried out. The Malassezia furfur strain was used to assess the antidandruff effect, and antibacterial sensitivity tests were performed against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas pneumonia. The current study findings demonstrate superior activity in the ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract. Both extracts showed notable anti-inflammatory benefits and showed comparable results to the standard drug diclofenac. Valuable substances such as polyphenols, glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins were found in the phytochemical analysis. Gingerol, gingerdione, sitosterol, and zingerone were detected in the most active extract by GCMS analysis, offering proof of the plant's antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights Zingiber officinale's possible therapeutic effects and promotes using it in healthcare systems as an easier and more beneficial substitute for synthetic drugs.
Keywords: journal article; Zingiber officinale; Traditional medicine; Antibacterial; Antifungal; Anti-inflammatory