PHYCHEMISTRY, PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR STUDY OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE: A REVIEW

Abstract

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as ginger, is one of the most widely used spice and condiment. It is also an integral part of many traditional medicines and has been extensively used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Tibb-Unani, Srilankan, Arabic, and African traditional medicines, since antiquity, for many unrelated human ailments including common colds, fever, sore throats, vomiting, motion sickness, gastrointestinal complications, indigestion, constipation,  gastritis, epigastric discomfort, gastric ulcerations, indigestion, nausea  vomiting etc. and scientific studies have validated the ethnomedicinal uses. The chemistry, phytochemical, pharmacological and molecular studies of Z. officinale is reviewed. This review was compiled to provide consolidated information covering different aspects of the plant, to provide a basis on which to plan future studies and to promote sustainable use of Z. officinale.