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Biological Activities of Greater galangal, Alpinia galanga - A Review

Partiban Subramanian and Muthulinggam Nishan

Green plants have been used for many years for their biological activities. Many species of Zingiberaceae family have been studied for their potential biological activity. Alpinia galanga from the family Zingiberaceae has been widely used decades ago and is still used for traditional and medicinal purposes. Easy availability and low cost has enabled more people to benefit from this dynamic plant. Studies have been conducted widely using the rhizomes, leaves, flowers, pseudostems and seeds apparently to explore its potential. Active compounds such as 1,8-cineol, α-fenchyl acetate, β-farnesene, β-bisabolene, α-bergamotene, β-pinene and 1’-acetoxychavicol acetate from Alpinia galanga plant. Among all the bioactive compounds, 1,8-cineol known as marker compound in the Alpinia spp provide strong biological activity. Active compounds from this plant cause variety of biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, antiulcer, antiallergic, antioxidant effect and insecticidal activity. Therefore this is the latest information on the biological activity and the active compounds of Alpinia galanga.