In this article, we highlight three concise research insights on the remarkable health potential of black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), ranging from metabolic and physical performance support to skin health and age-related muscle preservation.
The following summaries are based on expert research briefings originally shared in the Vitamin Professor Newsletter by Dr. Gene Bruno.
Black ginger extract for metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and physical performance
Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) has traditionally been used for centuries to promote health and well-being. Scant evidence is available to explain the relationship between black ginger and metabolic syndrome and impotence. A systematic review and meta-analysis[2] was conducted to test the hypothesis that administration of black ginger extract enriched active ingredients, such as polymethoxyflavones, could improve metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and related outcomes in in vivo. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the in vivo effects of black ginger extract on metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and related outcomes. Studies from 4 databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception up to December 2022. Animal experiment studies and randomized controlled trials comparing black ginger extract to a placebo control were retrieved and analyzed using RevMan 5.4.1 software. The effect estimate was presented as the standardized mean difference along with its 95% confidence interval (CI). Of 664 articles, a total of 57 articles met our prespecified criteria. Black ginger extract significantly decreased fasting blood glucose in both animal and human studies with standardized mean difference of -0.88 (95% CI, -1.63 to -0.14) and -0.51 (95% CI, -0.98 to -0.05), respectively. Furthermore, black ginger extract also markedly improved sexual function and physical performance. In sum, black ginger extract is shown to have effects beneficial to metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and physical performance.
Black ginger extract for collagen and hyaluronic acid production & more
Polymethoxyflavones from black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) rhizomes have been shown to effectively combat aging in skin cells and tissues by inhibiting senescence, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing skin structure and function. This study[2] assessed the anti-aging effects and safety of standardized black ginger extract, enriched with polymethoxyflavones including 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, and 3,5,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone. The effects of standardized black ginger extract were evaluated on skin rejuvenation and antioxidant properties using photoaged human 3D full-thickness skin models. The potential for skin irritation and sensitization was also assessed through studies on reconstructed human epidermis and clinical trials. Additionally, in vitro genotoxicity testing was performed following OECD guidelines. Results indicate that standardized black ginger extract promotes collagen and hyaluronic acid production, reduces oxidative stress, and minimizes DNA damage in photoaged full-thickness 3D skin models. Furthermore, it exhibited non-irritating and non-sensitizing properties, as supported by tests on reconstructed human epidermis and clinical settings. Standardized black ginger extract also passed in vitro genotoxicity tests, adhering to OECD guidelines. These results underscore standardized black ginger extract’s potential as a highly effective and safe, natural anti-aging agent, suitable for inclusion in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products aimed at promoting skin rejuvenation.
Black ginger for sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is a muscle disease typically characterized by an age-related loss of muscle mass and function, leading to the deterioration of health in older adults. This study[ii] investigated the therapeutic potential of standardized Kaempferia parviflora extract (KPE; aka, black ginger) on sarcopenia and its underlying molecular mechanisms on 18-month-old C57BL/6J mice were employed as an aged model. The mice were orally administered 100 and 200 mg/kg KPE daily for 8 weeks. Results were that KPE improved age-reduced grip strength and exercise endurance. It not only increased hindlimb muscle weight, volume, and myofiber cross-sectional area but also decreased abdominal fat volume and adipose tissue weight. KPE downregulated the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6, by inactivating nuclear factor kappa B protein expression and increasing the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, it significantly reduced the mRNA expression of muscle ring finger-1 (an enzyme involved in muscle breakdown) and muscle atrophy F-box for proteolysis and stimulated the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway for protein translation by stimulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. KPE also increased the relative mitochondrial DNA content by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA expression. In conclusion, this study’s findings demonstrate that KPE improves age-induced sarcopenia by regulating protein turnover and mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, KPE is potentially useful as a functional ingredient that inhibits or decelerates sarcopenia.
The three short research highlights presented in this article are adapted from recent editions of the Vitamin Professor Newsletter by Dr. Gene Bruno. His curated updates translate current scientific findings into practical, formulation-relevant knowledge for the nutraceutical and health-ingredient community.
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Dr. Gene Bruno, DBM, MS, RH(AHG) is a 47-year veteran of the dietary supplement industry, and for 20 of those years he served as Professor of Nutraceutical Science at Huntington University of Health Sciences. He now serves as Chief Scientific Officer for Nutraland USA. As “The Vitamin Professor™”, Gene will share the most recent research on nutraceuticals in this free bimonthly newsletter. Make sure to subscribe.
Read also Gene Bruno’s research highlights on Curcumin here:
