Research: OMOREGIE and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 217

Abstract

OMOREGIE and COLLEAGUES,  Department of Biology and Chemistry, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Jamaica. samson.omoregie@ncu.edu.jm assessed the potency of the extracts from lesser galangal, turmeric, and ginger against Acute monocytic leukemia (AML M5 or AMoL).

Background

Acute monocytic leukemia (AML M5 or AMoL) is one of the several types of leukemia that are still awaiting cures. The use of chemotherapy for cancer management can be harmful to normal cells in the vicinity of the target leukemia cells. This study assessed the potency of the extracts from lesser galangal, turmeric, and ginger against AML M5 to use the suitable fractions in neutraceuticals.

Methodology

Aqueous and organic solvent extracts from the leaves and rhizomes of lesser galangal and turmeric, and from the rhizomes only of ginger were examined for their antiproliferative activities against THP-1 AMoL cells in vitro.

Results

Lesser galangal leaf extracts in organic solvents of methanol, chloroform, and dichloromethane maintained distinctive antiproliferative activities over a 48-h period. The turmeric leaf and rhizome extracts and ginger rhizome extracts in methanol also showed distinctive anticancer activities. The lesser galangal leaf methanol extract was subsequently separated into 13, and then 18 fractions using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Fractions 9 and 16, respectively, showed the greatest antiproliferative activities.

Conclusion

These results indicate that the use of plant extracts might be a safer approach to finding a lasting cure for AMoL. Further investigations will be required to establish the discriminatory tolerance of normal cells to these extracts, and to identify the compounds in these extracts that possess the antiproliferative activities.

References

Omoregie SN, Omoruyi FO, Wright VF, Jones L and Zimba PV. Antiproliferative activities of lesser galangal (Alpinia officinarum Hance Jam1), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) against acute monocytic leukemia.  Journal of Medicinal Food.  16(7): 647-55. Jul 2013.

Comment

This is yet another promising study this time of an extract of galangal, turmeric and ginger for their antiproliferative properties in Acute monocytic leukemia (AML M5 or AMoL).

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