A Mini Review on the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Aframomum alboviolaceum (Zingiberaceae)

Background and Aims: Given the importance of finding a new Improved Traditional Medicine (ITM) based on medicinal plants, we reviewed the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological properties and toxicity of Aframomum alboviolaceum (Zingiberaceae), a plant species widely used in traditional African medicine as nutraceutical.

Study Design: Multidisciplinary advanced bibliographic surveys and dissemination of the resulted knowledge.

Methodology: A non-exhaustive literature review for relevant articles and books published in the last twelve years was conducted in January 2021 on various electronic databases: Science Direct, Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, POPLINE and System for Information on gray Literature in Europe. As search strategy, the scientific name of this plant was used as a keyword, with the terms phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

Results: In this literature review the results obtained show that A. alboviolaceum is rich in essential oils with a high concentration of β-pinene (51,6% This plant is also rich in macronutrients such as Carbohydrate, Lipids, Proteins, Ash, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Calcium. The presence of these compounds, such as essential oils, gives it anti-sickling, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer and anti-malaria properties. Given the presence of the monoterpenes identified in this species including β-pinene (51,6%) which has already proven its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and activation of the nuclear transcription factors Kappa B (NF-KB), we anticipate that A. alboviolaceum could be effective against inflammatory as well.

Conclusion: To our knowledge anti-inflammatory activity of this plant species and its effects on cell division have not been tested. With this in mind, we would like to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo of this plant species harvested in Democratic Republic of the Congo but also its genotoxic activity in our further studies.