title: Phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies in mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.; Zingiberaceae).
abstract: Curcuma amada Roxb. is an important species known as mango ginger due to its characteristic raw-mango aroma. It has a long history of traditional uses ranging from folk medicine to several culinary preparations. The phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of C. amada are reviewed. The rhizome is rich in essential oils, and more than 130 chemical constituents with biomedical significance have been isolated from it. Its antibacterial, insecticidal, antifungal and antioxidant properties have been investigated. The conservation of indigenous knowledge by proper documentation is suggested. The chemotaxonomy, allelopathy and genetic diversity of C. amada have not yet been explored, and many such studies are possible. This review was compiled to provide consolidated information covering different aspects of the plant, to provide a basis on which to plan future studies and to promote sustainable use of C. amada.
authors.affiliation: Gene Research Center, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan. zushma@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Shakeel Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jatoi
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Syed Abdullah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: Kazuo N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts