Phytochemical Assessment and Pharmacological Evaluation of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe Methanolic Extract – Preliminary Study

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, a traditional herb used to treat helminthiasis, cardiovascular issues, and cancer, lacks scientific evidence to support its therapeutic value. This study intended to explore the scientific rationale for its traditional usage, by phytochemical assessment and pharmacological evaluation of its methanolic extract (ME). The phytochemical analysis of ME was performed using conventional approaches, for qualitative detection. In vitro antioxidant capacity was then measured using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and the percentage of inhibition (IC50) of both standard ascorbic acid (AA) and ME was calculated. The anthelmintic activity was investigated at doses 50, 100, and 150 mg/ml by comparing the effects of ME and albendazole on the paralysis and death of earthworms. Furthermore, cyclophosphamide (CP) induced cardiotoxic rats were used to evaluate the in vivo cardioprotective ability of ME at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently, serum cardiac biomarkers including aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, as well as lipid profiles (triglycerides, and total cholesterols) were assessed. The phytochemicals assessment demonstrated the diversity of compounds' presence. The antioxidant assay demonstrated a significant (p<0.01) dose-response relationship of ME (IC50 33.132 μg/ml) compared to AA (IC50 20.276 μg/ml). Besides, the anthelmintic study thereafter revealed a significant (p<0.01) dose-dependent paralysis (2.824 ± 0.037 minutes) and mortality (3.732 ± 0.031 min.) of worms at 50 mg/ml dose compared to the standard control. Furthermore, the cardioprotective indicators and lipid profiles which CP elevated, have significantly (p<0.001) returned to nearly normal levels in serum due to the ME treatment at both 150 and 300 mg/kg doses. In addition, rats’ CP intoxicated heart weight (0.904 ± 0.019 gm) was significantly (p<0.01) reduced (0.860 ± 0.016 gm) by ME at 150 mg/kg dose. Therefore, C. zedoaria rhizome possesses powerful antioxidant, anthelmintic, and cardioprotective efficacy. The outcomes paved the way for more exploration to develop novel therapies from this herb.