Chemical constituents and anti-gastric ulcer activity of essential oils of Alpinia officinarum (Zingiberaceae), Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae), and their herbal pair

Authors: HUIJUAN, QU - Hainan University; LIN, KAIWEN - Hainan University; LI, XIAOLIANG - Hainan University; OU, HONGYA - Hainan University; TAN, YINFENG - Hainan University; Wang, Mei; WEI, NA - Hainan University

Submitted to: Chemistry and Biodiversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2021
Publication Date: 8/17/2021
Citation: Huijuan, Q., Lin, K., Li, X., Ou, H., Tan, Y., Wang, M., Wei, N. 2021. Chemical constituents and anti-gastric ulcer activity of essential oils of Alpinia officinarum (Zingiberaceae), Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae), and their herbal pair. Chemistry and Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202100214.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202100214

Interpretive Summary: The essential oil of the herbal pair, Alpiniae officinarum Hance-Cyperus rotundus L. has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine for “warming stomach” and relieving pain. However, its pharmacologically active compounds, as well as the mechanism of its anti-gastric ulcer properties remain unclear. The present study reported the volatile constituents of Alpiniae Officinarum Hance, Cyperus rotundus L., and their herbal pair, as well as the protective activities of the essential oils against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. Differences between the single herbs and the herbal pair were revealed by GC/MS analysis. These chemical differences are responsible for the pharmacological activities as evident in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The herbal pair demonstrated the best gastroprotective activity, which included the treatment of acute gastric ulcers caused by ethanol. This study further substantiated the traditional application of the herbal pair A. Officinarum-C. rotundus against gastric ulcers.

Technical Abstract: The essential oil (EO) of the herbal pair (HP), Alpiniae officinarum Hance-Cyperus rotundus L. (HP G-X) has been used conventionally in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for “warming stomach” and relieving pain. However, its pharmacologically active compounds, as well as the mechanism of its anti-gastric ulcer properties remain unclear. In this study, the EOs obtained from HP G-X and corresponding single herbs were analyzed using GC/MS. There are 77, 56, and 86 compounds which were detected in A. officinarum (GLJ), C. rotundus (XF), and HP G-X, accounting for 93.2%, 89.5%, and 92.0% of the total contents, respectively. Although no new compounds were detected in HP G-X, the relative concentration of some compounds increased, while others decreased or even disappeared. HP G-X showed the lowest toxicity (IC50: 1423 µg/mL) to GES-1 cells and had the best protective effect on ethanol-induced GES-1 cell damage compared to the individual herb. In vitro studies demonstrated that HP G-X and single herbs could significantly reduce IL-6, TNF-a, and COX-2. In addition, HP G-X can protect the gastric mucosa of mice induced by ethanol by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction and providing analgesia. In vivo investigations indicated that HP G-X provided protection to the gastric mucosa. It can down-regulate the expression of NF-'Bp65, COX-2, and TRPV1 protein, reduce the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-a, and relieve the heat-induced pain. This study further substantiated the traditional application of HP G-X against gastric ulcers through both in vivo and in vitro investigations.