Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal)

Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal)

Product Name: Альпиния лекарственная, Alpinia officinarum, Galgant, galanga menor, galanga officinale, الخولنجان, ข่าเล็ก

Synonyms: галанга малая, галангал, корень галангала, меньшая галанга, малый галанган, lesser galangal, galangal root, klein Galgant, rizoma de galanga menor, galanga petite, racine de galanga, عرق الخولنجان الصغير, ข่าตาแดง, ข่ารากแดง, ข่าหลวง, ข่าลิง

Main Indications for Alpinia officinarum Use: gastritis with reduced secretion, functional dyspepsia, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal colic, motion sickness nausea, chronic cholecystitis, hypomotor biliary dyskinesia, bacterial enteritis, chronic bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, infectious-inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, hypoestrogenism, menopausal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, arthralgia, neuropathic pain, anxiety disorder, asthenic syndrome, influenza, acute viral respiratory tract infections, herpes infection, caries, gingivitis, periodontitis.

Use of Alpinia officinarum in mixtures and complexes: hypertensive syndrome, vegetative-vascular dystonia, iron deficiency anemia, chronic pancreatitis, thyroid hypofunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, depressive disorder, trophic ulcers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, skin mycoses, human papillomavirus, parasitic infestations, purulent wounds, candidiasis of mucous membranes, chronic rhinosinusitis, autoimmune connective tissue diseases.

Pharmacological Properties of Alpinia officinarum: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, spasmolytic, choleretic, carminative, analgesic, antiemetic, antifungal, immunostimulating, cardiotonic, neuroprotective, antipyretic, antitumor, adaptogenic.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Alpinia officinarum

Powder — Alpinia officinarum

Standard Dosage (Powder): 500–1000 mg of powder 2 times a day, 20–30 minutes before meals, with warm water. Take without fat support. Standard course of use — 14–21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 1500 mg 2 times a day, before meals, with warm water. Take without fats. Course — up to 14 days.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): The maximum daily dose is 4000 mg, taken in 2–3 doses. Take before meals, without a fat base. Course duration at the maximum dose — no more than 7 days.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: Approximate dosage is 10–15 mg/kg body weight per day, divided into 2 doses.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder):) Use is permissible from 12 years of age. Starting dose — 250 mg 1–2 times a day. Maximum — 750 mg per day. Course duration — no more than 7 days.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): Recommended for adult patients with a predisposition to dyspepsia, seasonal viral infections, digestive weakness. 500 mg per day, course 7 days, repeated once a month.

Lethal Dose LD₅₀: LD₅₀ for Alpinia officinarum extract (oral, rats) — >5000 mg/kg.

Reference: PMC4162345

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in an airtight glass container shielded with food foil, at a temperature of +15...+25 °C and relative humidity not exceeding 60%. Shelf life — up to 2 years, under ideal conditions — up to 3 years.

Dry Extract — Alpinia officinarum

Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): 200–400 mg 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals, without fats. Course — 14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): 600 mg 2 times a day, before meals, without fat support. Course — up to 10 days.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): No more than 1500 mg per day, divided into 2–3 doses. Course — maximum 7 days. Increasing the dose requires medical supervision.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: Recommended dosage: 5–8 mg/kg body weight per day. Take in 2 doses.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): Use is permissible from 12 years of age. Dose — up to 200 mg per day, divided into 2 doses. Course — no more than 5 days.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): For adult patients during the epidemic season of ARVI or digestive disorders — 200 mg once a day, course — 7 days, repeated monthly.

Lethal Dose LD₅₀: LD₅₀ for concentrated extract of Alpinia officinarum (oral, mice) — 4340 mg/kg.

Reference: PMC3249925

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): Store in an airtight glass container shielded with food foil, at a temperature of +15...+25 °C, without access to moisture. Shelf life — up to 3 years.

Capsules — Alpinia officinarum

Standard Dosage (Capsules): 1 capsule of 500 mg 2 times a day, 20–30 minutes before meals, with warm water. Course of administration — 14–21 days. Take without fat support.

Enhanced Dosage (Capsules): 2 capsules of 500 mg 2 times a day (total 2000 mg per day), before meals, without fats. Course duration — up to 10 days.

Maximum Dosage (Capsules): Up to 5 capsules of 500 mg per day (2500 mg), divided into 2–3 doses. Take without fats. Course — no more than 7 days. If an increase in dosage is necessary, medical supervision is required.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight: Calculated from the proportion of 10–15 mg/kg body weight per day. For patients weighing 50 kg — up to 750 mg, with a weight of 100 kg — up to 1500 mg per day.

Pediatric Dosage (Capsules): Use is permissible from 12 years of age. Maximum daily dose — 500 mg, divided into 1–2 doses. Course — up to 5 days. Only under the supervision of a specialist.

Preventive Dosage (Capsules): Recommended for adults with a predisposition to digestive disorders, seasonal infections and weakened immune defense. 1 capsule once a day, course — 7 days, repeat — once a month.

Lethal Dose LD₅₀: Toxicity data for the extract used in capsules correspond to the values for the dry extract: LD₅₀ — 4340 mg/kg (oral, mice).

Reference: PMC3249925

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Capsules): Store in airtight blisters or jars, shielded from light with food foil, at a temperature of +15...+25 °C and humidity not exceeding 60%. Shelf life — up to 3 years.

Contraindications of Alpinia officinarum

Oral administration: Internal use may be limited in case of individual intolerance to components, in childhood, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in conditions requiring control of metabolic load. It is not recommended to take without medical supervision in patients with pronounced metabolic disorders or reduced functional reserve of detoxification systems.

Application to the skin: External use may be contraindicated in case of increased skin sensitivity, in the presence of acute inflammatory reactions or impaired integrity of the skin. In childhood and in persons with high skin reactivity, it is recommended to limit the area of application, duration of use and monitor skin reaction.

Contact with mucous membranes: Forms that involve contact with the vaginal, rectal, nasal, oral, ocular or respiratory mucosa require a preliminary assessment of tolerance. Contraindications may be associated with irritation of the mucous membranes, violation of their integrity, as well as individual hypersensitivity. During pregnancy, lactation and in childhood, the use of these forms requires increased attention and, if necessary, adaptation of the regimen of use.

Instillation into the nose and ears: Use in the form of instillation into the nasal passages or external auditory canal is limited in case of sensitivity, inflammation, mechanical irritation or obstructed outflow. In children, use is possible only at a reduced dosage and with special caution.

Note: In the presence of chronic conditions, reduced general tolerance, as well as when using the drug for the first time, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary assessment of the individual reaction. In case of doubt, a specialist consultation is required. All these contraindications are template and do not replace a clinical decision.

Side Effects of Alpinia officinarum

Oral administration: With internal use, reactions from the digestive system, changes in general well-being, individual sensitivity are possible. Side effects may include subjective discomfort, digestive reactions or short-term changes in mood and sleep. In most cases, the reactions are mild and reversible upon discontinuation of the drug. If persistent or increasing symptoms occur, the intake should be discontinued.

Application to the skin: External use may be accompanied by local reactions, such as burning sensation, redness, itching, dry skin or peeling. In some cases, increased sensitivity of the skin to external stimuli may be observed. With increased dosage, prolonged use or application under a bandage, skin maceration is possible. All reactions are completely reversible after cessation of use.

Contact with mucous membranes: Upon contact of the drug with mucous membranes, irritation, tingling, burning sensation, increased lacrimation, short-term increase in secretion or discharge are possible. Less often — swelling, sensation of a foreign body, reflex cough or sneezing. Side effects are usually reversible and disappear after rinsing the mucous membrane with clean water or stopping use.

Instillation into the nose and ears: Local reactions may occur: increased mucus secretion, tingling, short-term itching or discomfort. With a sensitive mucous membrane — sneezing, tickling or a feeling of congestion are possible. In the ear form — a short-term feeling of pressure or "plug". Symptoms are reversible and do not require special treatment if they resolve on their own.

Note: Side effects, as a rule, are associated with an individual reaction of the body, exceeding the recommended dosage, prolonged continuous use or non-compliance with the route of administration. Before use, it is recommended to conduct a trial use or skin test. All symptoms are reversible with the right tactics. In case of persistent or systemic reactions, it is necessary to stop using the drug and, if necessary, consult a specialist.

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine of Alpinia officinarum

Lesser galangal is traditionally used in South, Southeast and East Asia, in particular in China, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. It is mainly distributed in the provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi as part of South Chinese phytotherapy, where the rhizome of the plant was used as a component in classical recipes dating back to the medical canons of the Tang and Song dynasties. In Chinese tradition, galangal was considered a plant that "calms wind and heat" and was used in the form of dry powder, aqueous infusion or decoction to strengthen vital energy and warm "cold conditions." In Thai traditional medicine, the root of Alpinia officinarum was part of multi-component boluses and warm compresses (luk pra kob) used in women's postpartum procedures. In the folk medicine of the Malay and Javanese peoples, the plant was considered to "drive away the shadow" and was used as a condiment and a talisman against disease. Among the tribes of Indochina and the northern regions of Vietnam, smoking of the crushed root was practiced for medicinal and cleansing purposes. In South India and Sri Lanka, galangal is mentioned in Ayurvedic treatises as an element of warming preparations that restore the digestive fire (agni). Archaeoethnobotanical data record the use of galangal in household and cleansing rituals in Hainan and Luzon. In some regions, the plant was used in rituals of cleansing the dwelling, as well as a protective amulet in pendants or fumigations. Written references to the use of Alpinia officinarum are found already in the texts of the 12th century, including "Ji Zhu Fang" and "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu."

Pharmacodynamics of Alpinia officinarum

Lesser galangal has a wide range of pharmacological effects realized mainly at the systemic and local levels. The biological activity of rhizome extracts is associated with the presence of flavonoids, essential oils and diarylheptanoids, which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, spasmolytic and modulating effects. At the level of the gastrointestinal tract, normalization of motility and secretion is manifested, in the nervous system — stabilizing and anti-stress effects. An effect on inflammatory mediators (in particular, a decrease in the production of prostaglandins and cytokines) has been established, which indicates the participation of cyclooxygenase and the NF-κB pathway. An effect on receptor systems, including GABAergic and possibly TRPV1, is also noted, which confirms the neuromodulatory potential. Effects are manifested both with oral and transdermal use.

Pharmacokinetics of Alpinia officinarum

The main active components of lesser galangal — flavonoids, essential oils and phenolic compounds — are well absorbed upon oral administration, especially in the form of powder and extract. The participation of the intestinal microflora in the primary biotransformation of a number of compounds is assumed, followed by hepatic conjugation and phase II metabolism. Distribution occurs mainly in highly vascularized tissues, including the liver and gastrointestinal mucosa. Some components are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which determines the effect on the nervous system. Metabolites are excreted mainly in bile and urine, to a lesser extent — through respiration. With transdermal and mucosal routes, delayed systemic absorption with local accumulation is possible. Active components do not show a tendency to long-term tissue deposition, but with repeated administration, a moderate accumulation effect is possible.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale of Alpinia officinarum

The pharmacological action of Alpinia officinarum is due to the high concentration of galangal, galangin, diarylheptanoids and essential oils, which have multicomponent biological activity. The antimicrobial and antiviral action is associated with the violation of the integrity of the cell membrane of pathogens and inhibition of RNA virus replication. Flavonoids and diarylheptanoids suppress the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) by inhibiting NF-κB, and also reduce the expression of COX-2, which justifies the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Galangin and 1'-acetoxychavicol have demonstrated antiproliferative activity against tumor cells, including hepatocellular carcinoma cells, by inducing apoptosis through the caspase-3 pathway and blocking cell cycle phases. The neuroprotective effect is realized through antioxidant protection of mitochondria, modulation of GABA receptors and increased resistance of neurons to glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. The choleretic effect is based on increased bile secretion by stimulating cholangiocyte receptors and facilitating the motility of the biliary tract.

References: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
https://www.tandfonline.com/do...

Synergy of Alpinia officinarum

Extracts of Alpinia officinarum have demonstrated proven synergy with a number of natural and synthetic compounds. An in vitro study revealed an increase in antimicrobial activity when combined with flavonoids of Scutellaria baicalensis and curcumin, which was manifested in the suppression of the growth of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Combined use with berberine enhanced the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect by further suppressing the NF-κB cascade and inhibiting COX-2. In combination with galangin, Alpinia officinarum enhanced apoptosis-mediated death of gastric cancer cells in vitro, increasing the expression of caspase-3 and p53. Potentiation of the antioxidant effect was also established when used together with green tea catechins, especially under conditions of induced oxidative stress. In neurological models, additive neuroprotection was noted in combination with bacopasides of Bacopa monnieri, which was manifested in a decrease in the level of glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage to neurons.

References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
https://www.tandfonline.com/do... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...