International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

ISSN 2326-7267

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN 2326-7267 Vol. 14 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Exploring the Phytochemical Profile and Therapeutic Potential of Kaempferia galanga L.

Muhammad Ihtisham Umar1*, Mohammad Zaini Bin Asmawi1, Amirin Sadikun2, Rabia Altaf1 and Muhammad Adnan Iqbal3

1Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia,
11800 Pulau Pinang Malaysia.
2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau
Pinang Malaysia.
3School of Chemical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau, Pinang Malaysia.

Accepted 25 January, 2025

Kaempferia galanga L. (KG), commonly known as cekor is one of those precious medicinal herbs of Zingiberaceas that are still included in un-utilized herbs inspite of the variety of useful pharmacological properties it possesses. Extracts of KG have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, nematicidal, mosquito repellent, larvicidal, vasorelaxant, sedative, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiallergic and wound healing properties. Here, we have reviewed all the reported pharmacological properties of this valuable herb with an intention to highlight the effectiveness and potentials of this herb. Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate and ethyl-cinnamate are found to be the most vital constituents responsible for most of these pharmacological properties. Antinociceptive effect of KG extracts is comparable with that of aspirin whereas its nematicidal effect is even more potent than Carbofuran and metham sodium.

Key words: Antinociceptive, nematicidal, cekor.