Nutritional and Health-Promoting Properties of Kaempferia galanga: A Phytochemical Perspective
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Kaempeferia galanga,
Phytocemical
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Jocelyn Janiesha
Pattarapon Phuhongsung
Zhongsing Wang
Abstract
Kaempferia galanga L., known as kencur, is a widely used aromatic rhizome with significant traditional and modern medicinal value. This review provides an in-depth phytochemical perspective on its nutritional and health-promoting properties, focusing on the link between its secondary metabolites and biological activities. The primary bioactive constituent, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), along with other volatile and non-volatile compounds such as ethyl cinnamate, kaempferol, and borneol, are identified as the key drivers of its therapeutic potential. These phytochemicals demonstrate multi-targeted pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory activity through COX-2 inhibition, p53-independent apoptosis in cancer cells, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial action via membrane disruption. Nutritionally, the rhizome is rich in essential minerals (K, P, Mg) and dietary fibers, which work synergistically with phenolic compounds to modulate metabolic processes, such as ghrelin-mediated appetite stimulation. Despite its extensive use in traditional formulations like beras kencur, the translation into modern nutraceuticals faces challenges regarding the standardization of these chemical markers. This review concludes that a precise understanding of the phytochemical profile of K. galanga is essential for its development as a validated functional food and a source of natural medicine.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jocelyn Janiesha, Pattarapon Phuhongsung , Zhongsing Wang
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