Ginger Essential Oil as a Green Nanotechnology Agent: Composition, Nanoparticle Synthesis, and Biomedical Applications

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a widely recognized plant with both culinary and medicinal significance. Historically utilized in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani, ginger's therapeutic properties are attributed to its bioactive compounds, including gingerols, shogaols, and zingiberene. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects, contributing to ginger's broad spectrum of medicinal uses. In contemporary times, ginger is utilized not only in food and beverage industries but also as a key ingredient in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical formulations aimed at addressing various health issues, such as inflammation, digestive disorders, and chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. Recently, ginger essential oil (GEO) has garnered attention for its promising biomedical and nanotechnological applications. GEO, derived from ginger rhizomes, contains potent bioactive compounds that exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This review explores the traditional and modern uses of ginger, with a particular emphasis on GEO and its expanding role in biomedical applications. The integration of GEO into nanocarriers has opened new avenues for targeted drug delivery, wound healing, and cancer therapy. This review also highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of GEO in nanomedicine and underscores the need for further research and clinical studies. The growing potential of GEO in these fields positions it as a valuable natural product for future scientific and industrial advancements.