Chemical composition/nutrition

Black ginger rhizomes contain many essential oils. Borneol is the main component, but flavonoids, chalcone, and anthocyanins are also found. 5,7-Dimethoxyflavone (5,7-DMF) isolated from the rhizomes of black ginger has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. A study of the anti-inflammatory effects of this substance has shown that it inhibits rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and kaolin by 16.0–48.0% and 43.7–80.9%, respectively. The substances 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone and 5,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone have been shown to have activity against Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria, while 3,5,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone and 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone show anti-Candida albicans activity and mild anti-bacterial activity against Mycobacterium.

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