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Curcuma amada Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as mango ginger because its rhizome and foliar parts have a similar aroma to mango. The rhizome has been widely used in food industries and alternative medicines to treat a variety of internal diseases such as cough, bronchitis, indigestion, colic, loss of appetite, hiccups, and constipation. The composition of the volatile constituents in a fresh rhizome of C. amada is not reported in detail. The present study aimed to screen and characterize the composition of volatile organic compound (VOC) in a fresh rhizome of three C. amada (ZO45, ZO89, and ZO114) and one C. longa (ZO138) accessions originated from Myanmar. The analysis was carried out by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS). As a result, 122 VOCs were tentatively identified from the extracted 373 mass spectra. The following compounds were the ten most highly abundant and broadly present ones: ar-turmerone, α-zingiberene, α-santalene, (E)-γ-atlantone, cuparene, β-bisabolene, teresantalol, β-sesquiphellandrene, trans-α-bergamotene, γ-curcumene. The intensity of ar-turmerone, the sesquiterpene which is mainly characterized in C. longa essential oil (up to 15.5–27.5%), was significantly higher in C. amada accession ZO89 (15.707 ± 5.78a) compared to C. longa accession ZO138 (0.300 ± 0.08b). Cis-α-bergamotene was not detected in two C. amada accessions ZO45 and ZO89. The study revealed between-species variation regarding identified VOCs in the fresh rhizome of C. amada and C. longa.

Translating the conventional methods to produce novel materials with intriguing properties is much needed in the current scenario. It was well established that particles in the nanoscale exhibit superior activity than their bulk counterpart. Recently, biogenic synthesis has gained extensive attention for synthesizing a wide range of nanomaterials including metal/metal oxides, hybrid, and bioinspired nano-materials, respectively. In this context, we have summarized and reviewed the fundamental and mechanisms of biogenic synthesis strategies, especially for non-metal, metal, and metal oxide nanoparticles using four different natural sources of Curcuma viz. Curcuma amada, Curcuma caesia, Curcuma longa, and Curcuma zedoaria, respectively. In conclusion, the content reviewed and presented in current article will provide ready-to-use information for future improvements and value addition related to nanoparticle production through a green synthesis approach using Curcuma species as discussed. Finally, these methods were also found to be more reliable, sustainable, and eco-friendly as per protocols.

Abstract A novel carbon dot (CD) was synthesized through the facile and simple hydrothermal method from Curcuma amada, as the precursor for the first time. These CDs with an average diameter of 4.6 nm display blue fluorescence, with excitation/emission maxima at 360/445 nm and a quantum yield of 14.1%. It exhibited high stability under different conditions and was characterized using various techniques. These CDs can be employed as a dual-sensing platform to detect tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, two antibiotic classes. Even though antibiotics are regarded as an inevitable commodity, overuse and improper management of discarded antibiotics pose a severe threat to the environment. Herein, we developed a dual-sensing, biocompatible sensor with high selectivity and sensitivity to detect antibiotics. CD was employed as a fluorescence probe and detected tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotic through inner filter effect–based fluorescence quenching and hydrogen bonding–based enhancement process, respectively. The linear range was 0–16 μM and the detection limit was 33 nM for tetracycline and 2 nM for fluoroquinolone antibiotic. As an electrochemical probe, CD selectively detected tetracycline with a lower detection limit of 0.5 nM over a linear range of 0–16 μM. Using both methods, a real sample analysis of the developed sensor exhibited accurate reliability and precision.

Prostate cancer (PCa), a common urinary malignancy, is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among men worldwide. Curcuma amada extract has demonstrated antitumor properties in preclinical models of various cancers, however, its mechanisms against prostate cancer remain unclear. The current study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of C. amada rhizome extract (CARE) in treating PCa through network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis and in-vitro experiments. UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS/MS detected 16 phytoconstituents in C. amada , with 15 constituents passing drug-likeness criteria. Public databases identified 1,311 CARE and 473 PCa related targets, with 59 overlapping targets. PPI analysis revealed P53, CTNNB1, EGFR, AKT1, ESR1, HIF1A, CCND1, PIK3CA, and BCL2 as hub targets. Further,4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 13-hydroxylabda-8(17),14-dien-18-oic acid, labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial, zederone, zedoarondiol, zerumin A and caffeic acid were identified as core compounds with high degree values. GO and KEGG analysis identified targets primarily associated with apoptosis and PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed good binding potential of core compounds with key hub targets, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulation validated the stability of these interactions with minimal fluctuations throughout the simulation. Additionally, mRNA expression levels, immune infiltration and genetic alteration of the hub targets were analyzed. CARE significantly inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 cells, induced apoptosis, and caused G2/M phase arrest. In addition, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CARE was able to suppress mRNA expression of genes involved in the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Thus, the study highlights the underlying mechanism of CARE as a promising treatment option for prostate cancer.

Background Bacterial wilt is the most devastating disease in ginger caused by Ralstonia solanacearum . Even though ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) and mango ginger ( Curcuma amada ) are from the same family Z ingiberaceae , the latter is resistant to R. solanacearum infection. MicroRNAs have been identified in many crops which regulates plant-pathogen interaction, either through silencing genes or by blocking mRNA translation. However, miRNA’s vital role and its targets in mango ginger in protecting bacterial wilt is not yet studied extensively. In the present study, using the “psRNATarget” server, we analyzed available ginger (susceptible) and mango ginger (resistant) transcriptome to delineate and compare the microRNAs (miRNA) and their target genes (miRTGs). Results A total of 4736 and 4485 differential expressed miRTGs (DEmiRTGs) were identified in ginger and mango ginger, respectively, in response to R. solanacearum . Functional annotation results showed that mango ginger had higher enrichment than ginger in top enriched GO terms. Among the DEmiRTGs, 2105 were common in ginger and mango ginger. However, 2337 miRTGs were expressed only in mango ginger which includes 62 defence related and upregulated miRTGs. We also identified 213 miRTGs upregulated in mango ginger but downregulated in ginger, out of which 23 DEmiRTGS were defence response related. We selected nine miRNA/miRTGs pairs from the data set of common miRTGs of ginger and mango ginger and validated using qPCR. Conclusions Our data covered the expression information of 9221 miRTGs. We identified nine miRNA/miRTGs key candidate pairs in response to R. solanacearum infection in ginger. This is the first report of the integrated analysis of miRTGs and miRNAs in response to R. solanacearum infection among ginger species. This study is expected to deliver several insights in understanding the miRNA regulatory network in ginger and mango ginger response to bacterial wilt.

The current study describes the cellular impact of  Curcuma amada  Roxb. extract on the poultry tapeworm  Raillietina  spp. The ethanolic crude extract (ECE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) were evaluated for their anthelmintic efficacy other than Curcumin and compared to the conventional drug praziquantel (PZQ). Phytochemical analysis of the EAF using GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) identified key bioactive compounds, with [2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol] being the most prominent. Single-cell suspensions from the parasite were treated with ECE and PZQ, and subsequent assays revealed significant DNA damage, mitochondrial membrane destabilization, loss of lysosomal membrane integrity, and reduced cell viability. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy confirmed extensive ultrastructural damage to both external and internal tissues. Furthermore, cytological examination showed structural alterations in encapsulated eggs after ECE treatment, suggesting a reduction in infectivity. Overall, these findings highlight the promising anthelmintic potential of  Curcuma amada  rhizome extracts, mediated through profound subcellular and morphological disruption.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the epidermis. New biological drugs were developed for the systemic treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. However, products for the topical treatment of mild psoriasis are still required. Here, we examined the effect of natural compounds on psoriasis-like keratinocytes in vitro and ex vivo. Psoriasis-like keratinocytes were generated by treating human primary keratinocytes with the psoriasis-associated cytokines IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-22. Initially, 10 botanical extracts from Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northern American traditional medicine and Occidental Monastic Medicine were investigated using BrdU assays and IL-6 and IL-8 ELISAs. Curcuma amada, Humulus lupulus and Hypericum perforatum turned out to be the most effective plant extracts. In vitro, the plant extracts inhibited the expression of anti-microbial peptides (β-defensin 2), the hyperproliferation marker keratin 17, the glucose transporter 1 and downregulated the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and pSTAT3. In an ex vivo psoriasis model, Humulus lupulus displayed the most prominent anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effect. In conclusion, among the plant extracts investigated, Humulus lupulus showed the most promising anti-psoriatic effect. It is an interesting candidate for topical psoriasis treatment that should be further studied in clinical trials.

Bacterial wilt in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most important production constraints in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperature regions of the world. Lack of resistant genotype adds constraints to the crop management. However, mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.), which is resistant to R. solanacearum, is a potential donor, if the exact mechanism of resistance is understood. To identify genes involved in resistance to R. solanacearum, we have sequenced the transcriptome from wilt-sensitive ginger and wilt-resistant mango ginger using Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 26387032 and 22268804 paired-end reads were obtained after quality filtering for C. amada and Z. officinale, respectively. A total of 36359 and 32312 assembled transcript sequences were obtained from both the species. The functions of the unigenes cover a diverse set of molecular functions and biological processes, among which we identified a large number of genes associated with resistance to stresses and response to biotic stimuli. Large scale expression profiling showed that many of the disease resistance related genes were expressed more in C. amada. Comparative analysis also identified genes belonging to different pathways of plant defense against biotic stresses that are differentially expressed in either ginger or mango ginger. The identification of many defense related genes differentially expressed provides many insights to the resistance mechanism to R. solanacearum and for studying potential pathways involved in responses to pathogen. Also, several candidate genes that may underline the difference in resistance to R. solanacearum between ginger and mango ginger were identified. Finally, we have developed a web resource, ginger transcriptome database, which provides public access to the data. Our study is among the first to demonstrate the use of Illumina short read sequencing for de novo transcriptome assembly and comparison in non-model species of Zingiberaceae.

Curcuma species such as Curcuma longa (turmeric), C. xanthorrhiza (java turmeric), C. aeruginosa (black turmeric) and C. mangga (mango ginger) are widely used injamu, Indonesian traditional medicines as well as herbal drink and food supplement. The identification and discrimination of these closely-related plants is a crucial task to ensure the quality and to prevent adulteration of their raw materials. Therefore, we developed a feasible and rapid method using UV-Vis spectra in combination with chemometrics for discrimination of the four species. Firstly, we extract all of the samples using sonication method with methanol as the solvent for 40 minutes. The UV-Vis spectra of this four species were acquired in the interval of 200-800 nm and then standard normal variate was used for preprocessing the spectral data. Principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were used for classification of the four species. It turned out that the discrimination of the four species was achieved through the combination of the pre-processed UV-Vis spectra with PCA and DA, in which DA gave clearer classification according to the species because of 95.5% of the sample correctly classified into their groups by leave-one-out-cross-validation.

Plumbago zeylanica L., a wild shrub, is a vital natural source of plumbagin, a potent 1,4-naphthoquinone renowned for its anti-cancer properties, notably effective against breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Traditional plumbagin extraction, involving root uprooting and plant destruction, raises ecological concerns. The primary objective of this study is to enhance plumbagin production by incorporating the elicitation process into in vitro cultivation with regenerated plants that retain all of their intact organs. Seven different elicitors categorized into three distinct groups were employed to stimulate plumbagin content. Among the various elicitors used, this study marks the first application of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Curcuma amada in stimulating plumbagin production in this plant. The maximum plumbagin content, recorded at 8.98 ± 0.24 mg/g dry weight basis, was found in the roots when elicited with AgNPs at a concentration of 15 mg/l. In addition to that, biotic elicitors (yeast extract, chitosan and casein hydrolysate) and heavy metals (lead, cobalt and nickel) also successfully elicit plumbagin in the root and aerial parts of the plants, quantified through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In our study, we found that certain elicitors induced root browning and tissue necrosis, as confirmed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. The most significant browning effects were observed with chitosan from biotic sources and lead from heavy metals, while no such effects were associated with AgNPs at any concentration. Utilizing intact, entire plants as the subjects for elicitation in our study is a valuable aspect. This approach closely replicates the natural process occurring in intact plants, enhancing the relevance of our findings to practical situations.Key messageUtilizing silver nanoparticles alongside diverse biotic and heavy metal elicitors applied to entire plants in liquid cultures facilitates the sustainable production of plumbagin from various plant organs.