Safety Assessment of Bangle (Zingiber purpureum Rosc.) Rhizome Extract: Acute and Chronic Studies in Rats and Clinical Studies in Human

Bangle (Zingiber purpureum Rosc.) Extract Ameliorates Colonic Inflammation and Upregulates Autophagy via the Modulation of the AMPK/mTOR/NFκB Pathway in a Mouse Colitis Model

Bangle, a perennial herb belonging to the ginger family with antiinflammatory properties, has been under-researched in ulcerative colitis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bangle extract (BaE) on inflammation and autophagy in the colons of mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to four groups: control, DSS + 0% BaE, DSS + 1% BaE, and DSS + 3% BaE. The BaE groups were fed BaE diets for 3 weeks, followed by an additional week of BaE diets and 3% DSS in the water. The control group received a standard chow diet and water for 4 weeks. Plasma leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein (LRG) levels, macrophage count, and the levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) p65, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and autophagy markers were analyzed. In the DSS + 0% BaE group, LRG levels, macrophage count, NFκB p65 protein, and TNF-α mRNA levels were significantly higher compared to the control group. However, in the DSS + 3% BaE group, these levels were significantly reduced. Additionally, PGC-1α and phosphorylated AMPK levels were increased, while phosphorylated mTOR levels decreased, and autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B)-II levels were increased in the DSS + 3% BaE group. BaE may ameliorate colonic inflammation and upregulate autophagy via the modulation of the AMPK/mTOR/NFκB pathway in DSS-induced colitis.

Antibacterial Activity of Banglene Extracted from Indonesian Ginger "Bangle" Against Porphyromonas gingivalis

Periodontitis is one of the most common diseases associated with the lifestyle habits of adults and is caused by the formation of biofilms, called dental plaques, in periodontal pockets by oral bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Bangle, Zingiber purpureum Rosc. (Indonesian ginger), a native Indonesian plant, has been traditionally consumed as food and medicine across Southeast Asia. The cis- and trans-banglenes, components of the rhizomes of Z. purpureum, have been reported to possess neurotrophic activity. Hexane extract of bangle exhibited antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 μg/mL. We isolated several compounds from the active fractions through the bioassay-guided isolation of hexane extract. Further, we found that c- and t-banglene inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis at 4 µg/mL; however, these compounds showed no antibacterial effects against oral microorganisms. We also observed that c- and t-banglenes resulted in 47% and 40% reductions in biofilm formation. In conclusion, our results suggest that banglene has specific antibacterial effects against the periodontopathogen P. gingivalis, with minimal impact on oral microorganisms. Thus, banglene has potential applications in the prevention of periodontitis without the risk of substituted microbisms.

Transcriptome analysis of PC12 cells reveals that trans-banglene upregulates RT1-CE1 and downregulates abca1 in the neurotrophic pathway

Trans(t)-banglene and cis(c)-banglene possess neurotrophin-like activity in rat neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying t-banglene-induced neurotrophic activity in rat and human neurons remain unclear. Here, we performed transcriptome analysis in PC12 cells, a rat adrenal gland pheochromocytoma cell line treated with t-banglene, using comprehensive RNA sequencing. The differentially expressed gene analysis of the sequencing data revealed that the expression of RT1 class I, locus CE1 (RT1-CE1) was upregulated, and that of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (abca1), myosin light chain 6, and hippocampus abundant transcript 1 was downregulated in t-banglene-treated PC12 cells, with statistically significant differences. We also confirmed the RT1-CE1 upregulation and abca1 downregulation in t-banglene-treated PC12 cells by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RT1-CEl is a major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) protein. ABCAl is a major cholesterol transporter that regulates efflux of intracellular cholesterol and phospholipids. Thus, our results suggest an exciting link between MHCI, cholesterol regulation, and neural development.

Structure-activity relationship and bioactivity studies of neurotrophic trans-banglene

The synthesis and bioactivity of neurotrophic banglenes and derivatives is described, establishing a structure-activity relationship which enables future mechanistic studies. Neuritogenesis assays indicate that (-) trans-banglene is the active enantiomer. Assays performed with and without NGF protein suggest that neurotrophic activity and potentiation of NGF activity by (-) trans-banglene might be distinct unassociated processes. Interestingly, (-) trans-banglene potentiation of NGF-induced neuritogenesis is unaffected by the presence of Erk1/2, Akt and Pkc inhibitors.

Bioactive Compounds from Zingiber montanum and Their Pharmacological Activities with Focus on Zerumbone

The genus Zingiber consists of about 85 species and many of these species are used as food, spices, and medicines. One of the species, Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. is native to Southeast Asia and has been extensively used as traditional medicines and food. The aim of this review was to collect and critically analyze the scientific information about the bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities of Z. montanum with focus on one of the main components, zerumbone (ZER). Various studies have reported the analysis of volatile constituents of the essential oils from Z. montanum. Similarly, many phenylbutanoids, flavonoids and terpenes were also isolated from rhizomes. These essential oils, extracts and compounds showed potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities among others. Zerumbone has been studied widely for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological activities. Future studies should focus on the exploration of various pharmacological activities of other compounds including phenylbutanoids and flavonoids. Bioassay guided isolation may result in the separation of other active components from the extracts. Z. montanum could be a promising source for the development of pharmaceutical products and functional foods.

Potential bangle (Zingiber montanum J.König) rhizome extract as a supplement to prevent and reduce symptoms of Covid-19

The morbidity and mortality rates due to Covid-19 are increasing day by day, to overcome this, we urgently need a better treatment strategy, therefore various ways and strategies for this must be pursued. The purpose of the present review is to explain that the rhizome of bangle (Zingiber montanum) has great potential to increase antibodies and reduce symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which also seems suitable for treating Covid-19. Method: This review is looking for the results of scientific research from various sources, regarding the efficacy of bangle (Zingiber montanum) rhizome which is strongly suspected to be able to prevent, and reduce the symptoms that occur in COVID-19. The results showed that the bangle rhizome extract had activity as immunomodulatory, antiviral and reduced symptoms such as what happened in COVID-19. Conclusion: Bangle rhizome extract has dozens of nutritious substances and has multifunctional activities, and it can be postulated that among the benefits of bangle rhizome extract it is able to prevent and reduce symptoms that occur in Covid-19, and preclinical studies and clinical studies are needed to prove this postulate.

Metabolite Profiling of Javanese Ginger Zingiber purpureum and Identification of Antiseizure Metabolites via a Low-Cost Open-Source Zebrafish Bioassay-Guided Isolation

The rhizomes of Zingiber purpureum, "Bangle", were investigated for its antiseizure properties using a streamlined and cost-effective zebrafish screening strategy and a mouse epilepsy assay. Its hexane extract demonstrated strong antiseizure activity in zebrafish epilepsy assay and was, therefore, selected for bioactivity-guided fractionation. Twelve compounds (1-12) were isolated, and two bioactive phenylbutenoids, trans- (11) and cis-banglene (12), reduced up to 70% of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures. These compounds showed moderate activity against PTZ-induced seizures in a mouse epilepsy assay. To understand the specificity of Z. purpureum active compounds, its chemical profile was compared to that of Z. officinale. Their composition was assessed by differential metabolite profiling visualized by a molecular network, which revealed only vanillin derivatives and terpenoids as common metabolites and gave a comprehensive view of Z. purpureum composition. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a streamlined zebrafish epilepsy assay, which is therefore suitable for routine screening in phytochemistry laboratories.

Indonesian Ginger (Bangle) Extract Promotes Neurogenesis of Human Neural Stem Cells through WNT Pathway Activation

Indonesian ginger (Zingiber purpureum Rosc.), also known as Bangle, exhibits neurotrophic effects on cultured murine cortical neurons and in the adult mouse brain, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, using human fetal neural stem cells (hfNSCs) as a model system for in vitro human neurogenesis, we show that Bangle extracts activate canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling. Bangle extract-treatment of hfNSCs not only promoted neuronal differentiation, but also accelerated neurite outgrowth from immature neurons. Furthermore, Bangle extracts induced expression of neurogenic genes and WNT signaling-target genes, and facilitated the accumulation of β-catenin in nuclei of hfNSC. Interestingly, altered histone modifications were also observed in Bangle-treated hfNSCs. Together, these findings demonstrate that Bangle contributes to hfNSC neurogenesis by WNT pathway and epigenetic regulation.