Phytochemical and Safety Evaluations of Zingiber ottensii Valeton Essential Oil in Zebrafish Embryos and Rats

Abstract

Zingiber ottensii Valeton (ZO) exhibits pharmacological activity and has long been used in traditional medicine. However, reports about its safety profiles are limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and the toxic effects of ZO essential oil on the development of zebrafish and acute oral toxicity in rats. The essential oil was isolated from ZO rhizomes, and phytochemicals were analyzed using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of ZO essential oil were evaluated in zebrafish embryos and larvae and the acute oral toxicity was determined in rats. GC–MS results showed the essential oil contained zerumbone as a major phytoconstituent (24.73%). The zebrafish embryotoxicity of ZO essential oil appeared to be concentration- and time-dependent manner, with a moderate LC50 (1.003 µg/mL). Teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos also included morphological defects, decreased hatchability, and reduced heart rate. In rats, ZO essential oil (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) resulted in no mortality or significant toxicities. These findings suggest that ZO has embryotoxic and teratogenic effects in zebrafish embryos but does not result in death or acute oral toxicity in rats. Further long-term toxicity studies are needed to confirm the safety of products developed from ZO essential oil.

Essential Oil from Zingiber ottensii Induces Human Cervical Cancer Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits MAPK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Cascades

“…These anti-inflammatory effects of ZO essential oil were examined in macrophage cell line [27]. The hydrodistilled essential oil from the rhizome of ZO was explored to contain several different constituents, with zerumbone (24.73%) identified to be the major component that had high toxicity [14]. Furthermore, it was shown that the pupae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were susceptible to ZO essential oil [28].…”

“…Recently, we reported that ZO essential oil isolated from Zingiber ottensii Valeton contains several different potential compositions (assayed by the GC–MS method), including zerumbone (24%), terpinen-4-ol (18%), sabinene (15%), and β-pinene (7%) [ 14 ]. In particular, zerumbone is an interesting natural crystalline cyclic sesquiterpene because it has been stated to have application potential in chemoprevention and chemotherapy approaches, both in vitro and in vivo [ 30 ].…”

“…However, its toxicity to certain organisms has also been demonstrated. For example, the essential oil of ZO has been shown to cause toxicity and the aberrant embryogenesis of zebrafish [ 14 ]. Regarding its cellular toxicity, there was a report showing that ZO induced death in some cancer cell lines [ 15 ].…”

A Study of Genus Zingiber: The Role of Condiments in Science

“…Meanwhile, the rhizome part of Zingiber ottensii (Z. ottensii) is also empirically used to treat wound healing, relieve gastrointestinal disease, and constipation (Thitinarongwate et al, 2021). Furthermore, Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale), the most known Zingiber species, is medically used to treat respiratory infections and stomach disorders in Saudi Arabia and the rhizome, processed as a beverage combined with Arabic ginger called qahwa.…”

“…Chang et al (2012) reported that Z. zerumbet contains alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, phenols, and polyphenols. Zerumbone, the most abundant compound in Z. zerumbet, is classified as monocyclic sesquiterpene and found in other Zingiber species, including Z. ottensii and Z. roseum (Al-Amin et al, 2019;Chien et al, 2016;Thitinarongwate et al, 2021).…”