Kaempferia Parviflora
Kaempferia Parviflora or Krachaidum (in Thai), also known as "Thai ginseng", is a medical plant in the Zingiberaceae family. It is found in tropical areas such as Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Thailand. Its rhizome has been used in folk medicine for centuries. It is widely believed among the Hmong hill tribe that KraChaiDam improves physical strength and endurance during prolonged physical activity. A number of pharmacological studies of Kaempferia have proven the following pharmacological properties: anti-allergen, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antidepressant, anticholinesterase - that is, inhibiting the activity of cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a substance that transmits excitation in the human nervous system, antibacterial, oncoprotector, antiulcer, cardioprotective, and also a metabolic catalyst and aphrodisiac. The plant is widely used in traditional medicine in Asian countries. In particular, in Thailand and Laos for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal diseases, improving the vitality of physical strength and endurance. The Japanese use Kaempferia extract to treat metabolic disorders. In Chinese medicine, the plant is used to treat inflammation, urinary tract infections, fever, cough, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal diseases, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases.
Antiparasitic activity: the herb has long been used in folk medicine in Asian countries for the defeat of protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus, including Plasmodium falciparum, which cause malaria and are transmitted by blood-sucking insects, mainly mosquitoes. Clinical trials have shown antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC 50 values of 3.70 and 4.06 Β΅g/ml, respectively.
Antifungal activity: studies have shown a high inhibitory activity of the flavonoids that make up Kaempferia against Candida Albicans - or simply a fungus that causes candidiasis or in the common people language "thrush" Clinical studies have shown antifungal activity against Candida Albicans with an IC 50 value of 39.71 and 17.61 Β΅g/ml, respectively, and exhibit antimycobacterial activity at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 and 50 Β΅g/ml, respectively.
Antibacterial activity: Clinical studies have been conducted proving the effectiveness of the use of Kaempferia in the treatment of acne vulgaris or Acne, as they are also called. Scientifically it is called multifactorial dermatosis, the main factors or causative agents of acne are 2 types of bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (propionic acid bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) Treatment of acne with synthetic chemicals such as antibiotics and steroids can lead to side effects from mild to a severe degree. A clinical study was conducted, clearly proving the efficacy and safety of the external use of alcoholic extracts of Kaempferia for the treatment of acne. The antimicrobial effect of Kaempferia extract has been investigated in relation to two skin floras, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. The use of the extract showed almost total inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and propionic acid bacteria, respectively. These results suggest that Kaempferia extract has anti-acne properties which are activated by inhibiting the growth of skin bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. This property also expresses itself when taken orally and rinsing the mouth, since the cause of caries is also Staphylococcus aureus.
Antiviral activity: Kaempferia was included in studies to screen a potential antiviral protease activity. Kaempferia extract has been shown to inhibit HIV-1 protease, hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease and avian influenza virus (H5N1).
Neuroprotective property: studies testing the influence of the components of Kaempferia on the human central nervous system have proven a number of positive effects in the treatment of mental disorders, including depressive states, as well as a positive effect in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease - these diseases belong to a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. Common symptoms include psychiatric disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. In addition, depression is the most common symptom in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, occurring in approximately 40β60% of patients. The hippocampus is considered one of the most important parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood. Monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin, are produced by neurons in both the brain and the peripheral nervous system. Dimethoxyflavone is the main active component of Kaempferia, which exhibits high inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The polymethoxyflavones contained in Kaempferia have also been found to be potential inhibitors of Ξ²-secretase (BACE1). The therapeutic effect in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is based on the effect of inhibition of cholinesterase, in particular acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase.
Oncoprotective properties: studies conducted in Japan, Thailand and China have determined the high effectiveness of the use of Kaempferia in the treatment of HeLa human cervical cancer, SKOV3 ovarian cancer, skin cancer (melanoma), and PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer.
Leukemia: An ethanolic extract of Kaempferia inhibits the growth of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, reduces the viability of affected cells, and induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Kaempferia 95% ethanolic extract inhibits cell proliferation and viability and promotes cell apoptosis in the U937 promonocyte human leukemia cell line, as evidenced by condensed nuclei and apoptotic bodies and a decrease in MTP.
Cervical cancer: Another study showed the effectiveness of the use of drugs based on Kaempferia in the treatment of cervical cancer. In HeLa cervical cancer cells, ethanol extract of Kaempferia promotes cell apoptosis by suppressing the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. In addition, Kaempferia also inhibits the migration and invasion of HeLa cells. Obviously, the use of ointments made on the basis of ethanolic extracts of Kaempferia as vaginal tampons in the treatment of cervical cancer is an effective component of the overall therapeutic course.
Ovarian cancer: A study showed that a Kaempferia extract has anti-cancer properties against high-grade serous adenocarcinoma SKOV3. In particular, despite the fact that SKOV3 cells are aggressive and resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents, our results showed that Kaempferia extract is able to suppress MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, migration and invasion, and activation of growth and survival signaling pathways.
Pancreatic Cancer: Screening of extracts of twenty-five Thai native medical plants for activity against the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 resulted in the identification of four active plants: Derris Scanders, Boesenbergia Pandurata, Citrus Hystrix and Kaempheria Pparviflora, with a PC 50 value of 0.5 -8.9 Β΅g/ml. Kaempferia extract was found to inhibit the colony formation and this was subjected to a phytochemical study. Pancreatic cancer cells metastasize extensively. During metastasis, tumor cells migrate to distant organs such as the liver and lungs, where there are sufficient vessels and nutrients to grow into tumor colonies by invading normal tissues. Extracts and compounds having colony formation inhibitory activity under nutrient rich conditions may have possible therapeutic advantages in treating pancreatic cancer metastasis and colony formation. The ability of Kaempferia extract to inhibit the formation of colonies of cancer cells was investigated. Treatment of PANC-1 cell colonies with 50 ΞΌg/mL Kaempferia extract significantly inhibited the formation of PANC-1 cell colonies, with complete inhibition at 100 ΞΌg/mL. In layman's terms, we can say that cancer cells die at 100 Β΅g/ml. To put it simply, 1 gram = 1 million micrograms. In a person weighing 60 kilograms, there are approximately 60,000 milliliters. For a lethal concentration of the cancer cell inhibitor PANC-1 in a theoretical approximate model, 60000*100\1000000=6 grams of Kaempferia extract are required as a single dose with a theoretical 100% digestibility through the gastrointestinal tract. Of course, 100% absorption through the gastrointestinal tract cannot occur, but since the pancreas is part of the gastrointestinal tract, the practical concentration of the active substance will be more than sufficient for total apoptosis of PANC-1 cancer cells. Because colonies that metastasize to distant organs, such as the liver, have sufficient nutrients to proliferate, analysis of colony formation in DMEM at a non-toxic concentration shows its ability to inhibit cancer in distant organs without causing obvious toxicity to the organ itself, thereby preventing possible serious side effects, which are otherwise seen with conventional chemotherapeutic agents in clinical practice.
Metabolism Catalyst: A separate series of studies in various Asian countries focused on the effect of Kaempferia on physical endurance and physical strength was conducted. As a result of the clinical studies, it has been experimentally proven that the use of Kaempferia at a dosage of 90 to 180 mg / day significantly increases muscle strength. The study used a measurement of hand grip strength compared to placebo. This increase in endurance and strength has been found to be due to increased blood flow, which increases blood flow to the organs by inducing vasorelaxation. In addition, it was found that Kaempferia exhibits a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, which, in combination with increased blood flow, increases muscle strength. The indigenous peoples of Asia have used the plant for a long time to increase endurance in conditions of increased physical strain, especially when hiking in mountainous areas.
Musculoskeletal system: clinical studies, including in osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint, showed a pronounced analgesic effect when applied externally with an ointment based on Kaempferia. The study showed the effectiveness of the drug is identical to chemically synthesized anesthetic ointments, however, the use of an ointment based on Kaempferia extracts relieves the inflammatory process and has no side effects, unlike chemical ointments. Studies have shown that Kaempferia extract reduces the severity of cartilage lesions, this effect is based on the suppression of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade collagen in articular cartilage. Kaempferia significantly inhibits EP/cAMP/PKA signaling and Ξ²-catenin signaling, resulting in protection of articular cartilage and chondrocytes.
Applications in obesity: it has long been noticed that the natives of Asia, who use the roots of Kaempferia as food, do not have excess body weight. Modern research explains the mechanism of action of plant components on brown adipose tissue. In particular, the components of Kaempferia extract activate hormone-sensitive lipase in adipocytes. In addition, dimentoxyflavone, the main flavonoid in Kaempferia extract, has been shown to have a potent inhibitory effect on the eAMP degrading enzyme. Because eAMP is a hormone sensitive lipase signal in adipocytes, it activates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Thus, the thermogenic effect of Kaempferia extract mediated by brown adipose tissue exists due to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase in brown adipose tissue. The study showed that Kaempferia extract increases whole body energy expenditure by activating brown adipose tissue, which makes Kaempferia an effective component for the treatment of overweight.
Reproductive system: studies have shown that the use of a Kaempferia extract at a dosage of 90 mg leads to a significant improvement in the erectile functions of the penis. A 60-day study showed that an extract of Kaempferia caused an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Thus, an abundance of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the penile vascular endothelium and sinusoidal endothelium of the cavernous bodies may enhance penile erection. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (Prostatitis) is often caused by hormonal imbalance due to excessive social stress and poor dietary habits. Dihydrotestosterone is formed from testosterone by 5Ξ±-reductase (5Ξ±R), which is a key factor in the development of prostatitis. Kaempferia extracts have been shown to exhibit significant inhibitory activity on 5Ξ±R expression. In addition, Kaempferia extract reduces the weight of the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.
Cardioprotective action: Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion are often caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium in the cytosol and mitochondria. Kaempferia ethanolic extract has been shown to exert cardioprotective effects in coronary heart disease by activating cGMP-NO (cyclic guanosine monophorphate), attenuating calcium influx and protecting aortic rings.
Side effects: all studies on the subject of harm to the human body, including those at multiply overestimated dosages, did not reveal negative effects on the life support functions of the human body. A study of acute and chronic toxicity has shown that oral administration of Kaempferia does not cause any abnormal changes in the body and histology in various internal organs. Toxicological studies show that the ethanol extract of Kaempferia (at doses of 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg for 60 days) does not cause changes in hemoglobin, leukocytes or differential cell count. There were no negative effects on kidney and liver function at the tested doses.
You can find a series of scientific articles on the site asiabiopharm.com on the page dedicated to Kaempferia Parviflora, this includes articles about the use of Kaempferia Parviflora and herbal drugs which were prepared from it for the treatment of all of the above diseases. To do this, go to the tab "Scientific articles".
You can buy this product from the producer, the Asiabiopharm company on the website of the online store https://asiabiopharm.com/en/kempferiya-poroshok/. You can find the links and contact details of the producer in the description of this video.