Abstract
(1)Benefits of black ginger
- Vasodilation
- Cardiac protection
- Antitumor
- Transdermal penetration enhancement
(2)Supplemental dosage forms for black ginger
- Capsules
- Tablets
- Powder
(3)Production and extraction of black ginger
At present, there are few ways to extract black ginger extract, mainly chemical extraction and oil extraction, and the main active ingredient extracted is methoxyflavonoids.
Article Content
Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), also known as Thai ginger, wild ginger, etc., is a perennial herb widely distributed in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Yunnan and Guangxi in China. In these regions, black ginger is not only an important food raw material, but also widely used in traditional medicine and cosmetics industry. In recent years, with the development of modern science and technology, the research on black ginger has gradually deepened. Many pharmacological studies have shown that black ginger has anti-tumor, male sexual enhancement, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, neuroprotective, vasodilation and cardioprotective activity, transdermal penetration enhancement and other effects. Its potential pharmacological effects and chemical components have attracted widespread attention from scientists.
Black ginger rhizomes contain a variety of chemical components, among which flavonoids are the main active ingredients. Known flavonoids include quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, etc. In addition, black ginger also contains a variety of alkaloids, volatile oils, organic acids and polysaccharides, which together give black ginger a variety of pharmacological activities.
1. Efficacy of black ginger extract
A.Vasodilation effect
Black ginger extract has a direct dilating effect on blood vessels, which is mainly achieved by affecting the function of vascular endothelial cells. Studies have shown that certain components in black ginger can promote the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is a powerful vasodilator that can relax vascular smooth muscle, thereby causing vasodilation and lowering blood pressure. In addition, black ginger extract can inhibit the action of angiotensin II (Ang II), a potent vasoconstrictor whose overactivation is associated with the occurrence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
B.Cardioprotective effect
The cardioprotective effect is achieved through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and improved cardiac metabolism. The antioxidant components in black ginger extract can neutralize free radicals and reduce the damage of oxidative stress to heart cells. In addition, black ginger can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and reduce cardiac inflammation. In the myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury model, black ginger extract showed the potential to reduce myocardial damage and improve cardiac function. These effects may be related to its protection of the mitochondrial function of cardiac cells. Mitochondria play a central role in cardiac energy metabolism, and their dysfunction is closely related to the occurrence and development of heart disease.
C.Anti-tumor effect
Black ginger extract contains a variety of bioactive ingredients, such as flavonoids and terpenoids. Among them, compounds such as 5,7-dimethoxyflavone and 5-hydroxy-3,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone have been shown to have a strong killing effect on tumor cells. At present, research mainly focuses on the effect of black ginger extract on tumor cell signaling pathways. For example, black ginger extract can induce apoptosis of tumor cells by regulating the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway. In addition, black ginger extract can also inhibit the migration and invasion of tumor cells by affecting the composition of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules.
D.Transdermal penetration enhancement
Black ginger extract can increase the diffusion of drug molecules in the skin and help drug molecules diffuse in the skin. The transdermal penetration enhancement of black ginger extract makes it have application potential in clinical treatment and cosmetics. For example, in drug delivery systems, black ginger extract can be used as a promoter to improve the transdermal absorption rate of drugs. In the cosmetics industry, black ginger extract can be used as an active ingredient carrier to enhance the efficacy of skin care products. In addition, black ginger extract can also be used to prepare transdermal drug delivery systems, such as patches and gels, to facilitate local treatment.
2. Regulatory dynamics
The existing standards only make relevant provisions for the cultivation of black ginger, and stipulate the terms and definitions of black ginger greenhouse cultivation, pre-sowing preparation, sowing, post-sowing management, harvesting and other technical requirements, which are applicable to black ginger greenhouse cultivation in central and southern Hebei.
There are no relevant legal provisions for black ginger extract. However, many companies in Henan Province, China, have specified the requirements, inspection methods, inspection rules, signs, labels, packaging, transportation, and storage of ginger extract in Q/HZD 0021 S-2019 Ginger Extract, which is applicable to ginger extracts made from ginger as raw material through edible alcohol extraction, filtration, reduced pressure concentration, addition of maltodextrin, spray drying, and packaging. The finished product is used as an ingredient for ordinary food processing and is not directly edible.
For methoxyflavonoids, the NY/T 2336-2013 Determination of polymethoxyflavonoids in citrus and its products by high performance liquid chromatography, which was promulgated and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture of China in 2013, made relevant provisions for the determination of methoxyflavonoids.
3. Market application and product dynamics
In the food industry, the unique flavor and aroma of black ginger make it an ideal raw material for the food industry. It is widely used in condiments, beverages, candies, and baked goods. As a natural preservative and antioxidant, black ginger extract can improve the shelf life and taste of food. In addition, black ginger is added to various health foods and functional foods to provide additional nutritional value. Common black ginger supplements include capsules, tablets, powders, etc. For example, Swanson's Black Ginger Extract capsules are mainly used to boost energy, anti-oxidation and improve blood circulation. In terms of Gummy, black ginger gummies are not common on the market, but their characteristics are suitable for development in the form of gummies to provide a convenient and delicious way of supplementation. I believe that black ginger gummies will be an ideal choice in the future. In cosmetics and personal care, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of black ginger make it a popular ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products. It is added to products such as creams, cleansing products, conditioners and massage oils to improve the health of skin and hair. The anti-aging effect of black ginger extract also makes it an important ingredient in anti-aging products. In terms of healthcare, black ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects make it a potential drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Black ginger extract is being studied for the treatment of arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases.
Despite the promising market prospects for black ginger, there are still some challenges. First, there are counterfeit and inferior products on the market, and it is difficult for consumers to distinguish the authenticity, which may damage consumer confidence and affect the reputation of the entire market. Secondly, the cultivation and production of black ginger require strict quality control and sustainability management to ensure its long-term supply and ecological balance. Finally, the development of the black ginger industry requires close cooperation with scientific research institutions, enterprises and policymakers to promote technological innovation and market expansion.
In short, the market application and product dynamics of black ginger are characterized by diversification and innovation. With the improvement of consumer health awareness and the growth of market demand, the black ginger industry will continue to grow and develop.
4. The difference between black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) and turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Many people confuse black ginger with turmeric. Although they both belong to the Zingiberaceae family in plant classification, black ginger belongs to the Kaempferia genus in the Zingiberaceae family, while turmeric belongs to the Curcuma genus in the Zingiberaceae family.
In terms of ingredients and efficacy, black ginger mainly contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood circulation, energy and sexual health effects. The main active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is widely used to support joint health, digestive health and immune function.
Their application areas are also different. Black ginger is often used in traditional herbal medicine, health products (such as capsules and tablets), and sometimes in cosmetics. Turmeric is widely used in food seasonings (such as curry), dietary supplements (such as turmeric gummies), and drug treatments, especially in anti-inflammatory and joint health.
5. Introduction to production technology achievements
First, prepare the plant body of black ginger. The plant body or its parts are dried and crushed as needed. Then, the plant body or its parts are contacted with oil for extraction. The extraction conditions are not particularly limited as long as methoxyflavonoids can be extracted. Typical extraction temperatures are 50-180°C, 70-170°C, 70-150°C, 100-150°C or 120-150°C. The upper limit of the extraction temperature is not particularly limited, as long as it is below the reflux temperature of water, hydrophilic solvents or mixtures thereof. Typically, the extraction time is 1 minute to 1 day, 10 minutes to 10 hours or 15 minutes to 5 hours.
The volume of the oil used is 0.1 to 30 times or 0.5 to 15 times the weight of black ginger. The oil selected in this technology is at least one selected from medium-chain triglycerides, diglycerides, sesame salad oil, olive oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, rice germ oil, sunflower oil, perilla oil, and perilla oil, which can dissolve methoxyflavonoids. The extraction time can be 1 minute to 1 day, 10 minutes to 10 hours, or 15 minutes to 5 hours.
Then, after the extraction, the insoluble solid components are removed from the oil-containing extract obtained by the extraction by filtration or centrifugation as needed. The remaining oil extract contains one or more methoxyflavones selected from 11 methoxyflavones selected from 5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,3', 4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, and 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, and is mixed with water, a hydrophilic solvent or a mixture thereof, preferably including C1-3 alcohol and/or acetone, more preferably ethanol. Methoxyflavonoids enter the hydrophilic solvent from the oil, and the resulting mixture is subjected to liquid-liquid separation.
Finally, the aqueous solution is concentrated under reduced pressure and freeze-dried to obtain a black ginger extract containing methoxyflavonoids.
Conclusion
This technology extracts the main active ingredient methoxyflavonoids from black ginger through a water-oil two-phase extraction method, and verifies the antioxidant activity of the extract, providing a common and efficient extraction method for the industrial production and development of black ginger extract, and promoting the market application and continuous development of black ginger.
