Bioactivity assessment of Zingiber zerumbet Linn rhizome extract for topical treatment of skin diseases

Abstract

Fungal and bacterial skin diseases are still major public health concerns in Thailand. Despite the accessibility of numerous antimicrobial medications, antibiotic resistance remains a problem. Furthermore, only a few new medicines have been developed, and their side effects are a cause for concern. Identifying and utilizing natural chemicals is an alternative resolution for these issues. The rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) is one of the herbs used as an antibiotic in Eastern Thailand. This research aimed to develop an appropriate extraction method for Z. zerumbet (L.) rhizome using different solvents. The extract’s biomarkers and various pharmacological activities were also analyzed. Results showed that the ethanol extract had no effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Candida albicans. Meanwhile, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts had minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 0.01562 and 0.03125 mg/ml, respectively, for S. aureus. Their MBC and minimal fungicidal concentration for S. epidermidis and C. albicans were 0.03125 and 0.0625 mg/ml, respectively. The ethanol extract outperformed the dichloromethane and hexane extracts in terms of antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays. Furthermore, the ethanol extract showed anti-inflammatory properties as determined by the protein denaturation test. Finally, the LC50 values of ethanol, dichloromethane, and hexane extracts were 122.78, 220.76, and 67.96 g/ml, respectively, according to the cytotoxicity assay. These findings suggest that the extract from Z. zerumbet (L.) rhizome could be employed to develop an antimicrobial medicine in the future.