GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oil of Leaves and Rhizomes of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. and In Vitro Hepatoprotection and Cytotoxicity Study

The investigated essential oils of rhizomes and leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R. M. Smith, were evaluated using GC-MS analysis. The yield of the essential oil of the leaves was 0.45% V/W, while that of the rhizomes was 0.25% V/W. The major compounds found in the leaves oil were: 1,8-cineole (24.21%) and terpinen-4-ol (19.67%), while the major compounds found in the rhizomes oil were terpinen-4-ol (17.15%) and turmerone (15.62%). GLC investigation of the unsaponifiable fraction indicates the presence npentacosane (26.35%), n-octane (8.89%) and beta-sitosterol (4.01%). GLC investigation of the fatty acids methyl esters indicate the presence of saturated fatty acids: tetradecanoic acid (10.13%) and unsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid (9.87%). The hexane fraction showed no hepatotoxicity till concentration 1000 mu g/ml. The hexane exerted 90% hepatoprotection at a concentration 25 mu g/ml. The aqueous extract achieved 50% cytotoxicity at 50 mu g/ml on the U937 cells (human leukemic monocyte lymphoma); the methanol extract did not show any cytotoxic activity till the concentration of 100 mu g/ml. The aqueous and methanolic extracts had no cytotoxic effect on PBM cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cell), till a concentration of 100 mu g/ml.