Search Results (9)

Amomum villosum, a medicinal and edible plant, has shown promise in improving digestive health; however, the mechanisms underlying its antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects remain unclear. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of A. villosum essential oil (AVEO) and elucidate its bioactive potential. Ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded 3.84% AVEO under optimal conditions. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with SwissADME analysis identified nine active components, including bornyl acetate, (−)-Spathulenol, and (−)-Pogostol. In vitro assays demonstrated potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀: 0.99 mg/mL) and strong free radical scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC₅₀: 0.87 mg/mL), hydroxyl (IC₅₀: 0.18 mg/mL), and superoxide anion radicals (IC₅₀: 0.01 mg/mL). A significant positive correlation was observed between its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Network pharmacology identified 11 core targets involved in oxidative stress and glucose metabolism, with functional enrichment pointing to the PPAR and steroid hormone signaling pathways. Molecular docking confirmed stable binding affinities of bornyl acetate, (−)-spathulenol, and (−)-pogostol to JAK2, NCOA2, and PPARA via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the dual antioxidant–hypoglycemic effects of AVEO and support its potential application in the development of functional foods and natural therapeutics targeting metabolic disorders. Full article

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, remains incompletely understood. Amomum villosum Lour. (Zingiberaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine used across Asia to treat digestive and inflammatory disorders. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of a water extract derived from the fruits of AV (referred to as AVE) in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The protective effects of AVE were evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight and colon length, as well as histological and molecular markers of inflammation. Neutrophil infiltration and levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissue and serum were assessed, and the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier was examined via Western blot analysis. Treatment with AVE significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, as evidenced by improved body weight, longer colon length, and reduced inflammatory responses. AVE administration restored tight junction protein expression (zonula occludens-1 [ZO-1] and occludin), suppressed phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases—specifically, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38—and inhibited the expression of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. These findings suggest that oral AVE treatment effectively protects against experimental colitis by modulating inflammatory signaling and preserving epithelial barrier integrity. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical potential and safety of AVE in the management of IBD. Full article

Amomum villosum L. is a perennial herbaceous belonging to the ginger family. Due to its unique aroma, it is widely used in alcoholic beverages and food processing. Unfortunately, issues with bitterness and sourness occur, which affect the taste and quality of processed products. In this study, the non-volatile sour and bitter substances in Amomum villosum L. were systematically isolated, purified, and characterized through a combination of chromatographic separation techniques and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). The results indicate that three sour compounds (DL-malic acid, protocatechuic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and one bitter compound (catechin) were identified for the first time in Amomum villosum L. The in vitro anti-tumor activity was screened and determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, a 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining experiment, and scratch assays. The results reveal that the bitter substance of catechin (25–100 μg/mL) exhibited significant inhibitory effects, which inhibited the proliferation and migration of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells through dose-dependent mechanisms. This investigation also reveals the influence of different traditional extraction solvents on the degree of bitterness and sourness in Amomum villosum extracts, providing a theoretical basis for improving the quality and pharmacological utilization of Amomum villosum extracts. Full article

This study investigates the antimalarial potential of extracts and compounds from various plants used in traditional Korean medicine, in response to the increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to standard treatments such as chloroquine and artemisinin. The antimalarial activity screening was conducted on 151 extracts, identifying the top seven candidates, including Geranium thunbergii (50% ethanol and 100% methanol extract), Reynoutria japonica, Amomum villosum (hot water and 50% ethanol extract), Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Platycodon grandiflorum. Among these, G. thunbergii was identified as the top priority for further analysis due to its high antimalarial activity and high yield of bioactive compounds. The plant extracts were fractionated using ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hot water, and their efficacy against P. falciparum was evaluated through IC₅₀ determination and microscopic analysis. The compounds evaluated included ellagic acid, gallic acid, afzelin, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid. Among the tested compounds, ellagic acid showed the most potent antimalarial activity with an IC₅₀ of 1.60 ± 0.09 µM, followed by gallic acid (39.43 ± 1.48 µM) and afzelin (52.77 ± 1.84 µM). In contrast, quercetin (116.8 ± 3.78 µM) and protocatechuic acid (1.23 ± 0.02 mM) exhibited minimal antimalarial effects. Giemsa staining was employed to visualize parasite morphology and confirmed that ellagic acid is effective in inhibiting growth at the late trophozoite stage. These findings suggest that ellagic acid could serve as a promising lead compound for developing a novel antimalarial agent. This study highlights the importance of exploring plant-based compounds as alternative strategies against drug-resistant malaria. Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the antimalarial activity of these compounds is necessary to fully validate their therapeutic potential. Full article

In this study, a new oleogel system was constructed and used as a fat substitute in the processing of cookies. The preparation process of Amomum villosum Lour. extract (AVE) was optimized based on antioxidant activity and yield firstly. Then, the AVE, ovalbumin, chitosan, and xanthan gum were used as raw materials to prepare a composite Pickering emulsion oleogel. The results showed that when the concentration of AVE, chitosan, and XG were 0.1%, 2.5%, and 0.3%, respectively, a stable and uniformly distributed Pickering emulsion oleogel was formed. In this case, the particle size of the composite oleogel was relatively small; the absolute value of zeta potential was higher; the microstructure was more stable, with less aggregation and flocculation; and the thermal stability and freeze–thaw stability were excellent. In addition, the addition of AVE enhanced the gel properties of the oleogel and had good solid-like properties, and strengthened the binding force, as well as the oxidation stability, making the whole system more stable. In addition, the results of the application of the composite oleogel in the cookies showed that the AVE–ovalbumin/xanthan gum/chitosan Pickering emulsion oleogel had similar sensory and texture properties to the butter group. The addition of AVE can delay the crispness, cohesiveness, hardness, and the rate of malondialdehyde formation in cookies during storage. In conclusion, the AVE–ovalbumin/xanthan gum/chitosan Pickering emulsion oleogel had good physicochemical stability and showed great potential in replacing saturated fat (butter) in baking products (cookies). Full article

Epidemics of infectious diseases threaten human health and society stability. Pharmacophagous plants are rich in bioactive compounds that constitute a safe drug library for antimicrobial agents. In this study, we have deciphered for the first time antibacterial ingredients and modes of the methanol-phase extract (MPE) from the fruit of Amomum villosum Lour. The results have revealed that the antibacterial rate of the MPE was 63.64%, targeting 22 species of common pathogenic bacteria. The MPE was further purified by high performance liquid chromatography (Prep-HPLC), and three different constituents (Fractions 1–3) were obtained. Of these, the Fraction 2 treatment significantly increased the cell membrane fluidity and permeability, reduced the cell surface hydrophobicity, and damaged the integrity of the cell structure, leading to the leakage of cellular macromolecules of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens (p < 0.05). Eighty-nine compounds in Fraction 2 were identified by ultra HPLC-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) analysis, among which 4-hydroxyphenylacetylglutamic acid accounted for the highest 30.89%, followed by lubiprostone (11.86%), miltirone (10.68%), and oleic acid (10.58%). Comparative transcriptomics analysis revealed significantly altered metabolic pathways in the representative pathogens treated by Fraction 2 (p < 0.05), indicating multiple antibacterial modes. Overall, this study first demonstrates the antibacterial activity of the MPE from the fruit of A. villosum Lour., and should be useful for its application in the medicinal and food preservative industries against common pathogens. Full article

In this study, the essential oil of the fruits of Amomum villosum Lour. (AVEO) was extracted through steam distillation and the components of the AVEO were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the antioxidant capacity in vitro of the AVEO was gauged using radical scavenging activity (DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays; the antioxidant effect of a certain concentration of AVEO is even comparable to 0.08 mg/mL of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Moreover, AVEO was applied to sunflower oil in a 30 h successive deep-frying experiment. Throughout the frying procedure, the sunflower oil-added antioxidant showed different degrees of benign changes in the physical and chemical parameters compared to the blank group, with 1 g/kg of AVEO being more consistent with 0.01 g/kg of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), while 1.5 g/kg of essential oil revealed a stronger antioxidative capability. Meanwhile, the organoleptic characteristics of Chinese Maye, including its appearance, taste, flavor, and overall acceptability, were ameliorated when AVEO was added at 1.5 g/kg. Consequently, AVEO can be applied to substitute synthetic antioxidants as a natural antioxidant and flavoring agent during the deep-frying course of food. Full article

Gout is an oxidative stress-related disease. Food-derived vanillic acid, a promising xanthine oxidase inhibitor, could potentially be used as a safe, supportive, and therapeutic product for gout. The extraction of vanillic acid from a classic Chinese herbal plant Amomum villosum with ethanol was investigated in the study. The optimum conditions were determined as extraction time of 74 min, extraction temperature of 48.36 °C, and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:35 g·mL⁻¹ using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental extraction yield of 9.276 mg·g⁻¹ matched with the theoretical value of 9.272 ± 0.011 mg·g⁻¹ predicted by the model. The vanillic acid in Amomum villosum was determined to be 0.5450 mg·g⁻¹ by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) under the optimum extraction conditions and exhibited xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.762 mg·mL⁻¹. The nanoemulsion of Amomum villosum extract consists of 49.97% distilled water, 35.09% S_mix (mixture of tween 80 and 95% ethanol with 2:1 ratio), and 14.94% n-octanol, with a particle size of 110.3 ± 1.9 nm. The nanoemulsion of Amomum villosum extract exhibited markable XO inhibitory activity, with an inhibition rate of 58.71%. The result demonstrated the potential benefit of Amomum villosum as an important dietary source of xanthine oxidase inhibitors for gout. Full article

Since the potential of (3:1) mixtures of Atractylodes macrocephala and Amomum villosum extracts has been proposed in the management of obesity, the purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of AME:AVE (3:1) mixture on weight loss, obesity-related biochemical parameters, adipogenesis and lipogenesis related proteins in 3T3-L1 cells and HFD-induced obesity in a mouse model. Treatment with AME:AVE (3:1) mixture inhibited lipid accumulation. Furthermore, the treatment with 75 and 150 mg/kg of AME:AVE (3:1) significantly decreased the body weight gain, white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, and plasma glucose level in HFD-induced obese mice. Moreover, treatment with 75 and 150 mg/kg AME:AVE (3:1) also significantly lowered the size of adipocytes in adipose tissue and reduced the lipid accumulation in liver. AME:AVE (3:1) treatment significantly decreased the expression of proteins related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice. These results suggest that the AME:AVE herbal mixture (3:1) has anti-obesity effects, which may be elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related proteins in adipocytes and WAT in HFD-induced obesity in mice. Full article