Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Anti-inflammatory Studies of Zingiber neesanum (Graham) Ramam

Background

Zingiber neesanum, which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, was the subject of the current investigation. Besides being a significant medicinal plant species, it is an aromatic stimulant.

Objectives

Examining the phytochemical content, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts is the primary goal of this study.

Materials and Methods

Phytochemical extraction was performed by ultrasonic-assisted extraction of powdered plant rhizome. The antimicrobial potential was assessed by well diffusion method. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was carried out by the in vitro Sheep Red Blood Cell (SRBC) membrane stabilization assay, which includes heat-induced hemolysis and hypotonicity-induced hemolysis.

Results

Important compounds like alkaloids, saponins, reducing sugars, steroids, and terpenoids were found in the rhizome after a preliminary phytochemical examination of the plant in ethanolic and hexane extracts. The antimicrobial screening was done against four different pathogenic bacterial strains. The antimicrobial study revealed that the maximum average zone of inhibitions in the ethanolic extract was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and moderate activity for Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus respectively. Hexane extract was found to be effective against Gram-positive bacteria, B. cereus and S. aureus.

Conclusion

The plant extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory property by membrane stabilization effect by inhibiting both hypotonicity-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis and heat-induced hemolysis.