CONTEXT Amomum xanthioides Wall. ex Baker (Zingiberaceae) is a tropical medicinal plant that is commonly utilized in the treatment of digestive system disorders in Asia for a long time. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and related mechanisms of A. xanthoides. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sub-chronic liver injury was induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN, 10 mg/kg, t...

Amomum villosum Lour., produced from Yangchun, Guangdong Province, China, is a Daodi medicinal material of Amomi Fructus in traditional Chinese medicine. This herb germplasm should be accurately identified and collected to ensure its quality and safety in medication. In the present study, single nucleotide polymorphism typing method was evaluated on the basis of DNA barcoding markers to identif...

We investigated anti-hepatofibrotic effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Ammomum xanthoides (EFAX) using bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrosis in a rat model. Male SD rats (6 weeks old) underwent BDL followed by 15 days of orall administration of EFAX (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) or ursodeoxycholic acid (25 mg/kg). BDL caused animal death, ascites formation, alterations in serum biochemis...

Spices are non-leafy parts of plants used as a flavoring or seasoning. They are used to add flavor to foods and beverages, and as herbal medicines. Asia is known as the ‘Land of Spices’ as it is the place of origin, production, consumption and export of most spices. Out of the world’s 70 plant species grown as spices, 13 are considered major spices produced in Asia. They are briefly described b...