Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié: a comprehensive review on traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology

Abstract

Tsaoko Fructus, the dried ripe fruit of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié, is used as both medicinal material and food additive. This review summarized the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological progress on Tsaoko Fructus. One classical prescription and the other 11 representative prescriptions containing Tsaoko Fructus were reviewed. The indications of these prescriptions are major in treating spleen and stomach disorders and epidemic febrile diseases including malaria. At least 209 compounds have been isolated and identified from Tsaoko Fructus, most of which belong to terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and organic acids. Essential oil, crude extract, and some compounds were observed to have pharmacological activities such as anti-biotics, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, mostly via in vitro experiments. However, the mechanism of its medicinal uses remains unclear. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of Tsaoko Fructus, which will be beneficial to exploring the mechanism and potential medicinal applications of Tsaoko Fructus, as well as developing a rational quality control system for Tsaoko Fructus as a medicinal material in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11101-021-09793-x.

Flavonoids in Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie Ameliorate Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Related Metabolites

“…It is also a traditional Chinese herb, and decoctions of AT are commonly used by Chinese medicine practitioners to treat conditions such as cold dampness and internal obstruction, distension, and pain in the abdomen [ 4 ]. Recent studies have shown that the main chemical constituents of AT include volatile oils and nonvolatile components such as phenols, flavonoids, diphenylheptane and bicyclonononanes; AT has pharmacological effects such as regulating gastrointestinal functions [ 5 ] as well as anti-inflammatory [ 6 ], antitumor [ 7 ], hypoglycemic, and lipid-regulating effects [ 8 ]. Clinically, AT is commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions, as in the use of AT aqueous extract (ATAE) to accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal functions and the relief of abdominal distension in abdominal surgery patients [ 9 ]; thus, it is presumed that AT may have laxative effects.…”

De novo transcriptome assembly, gene annotation, and EST-SSR marker development of an important medicinal and edible crop, Amomum tsaoko (Zingiberaceae)

“…Recent studies have shown that A. tsaoko essential oil has a significant inhibitory effect on COVID-19 [ 13 ]. The monoterpene 1,8-cineole was found to be the major constituent (34.6–45.24%) of the essential oil in A. tsaoko , and has well-known antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving effects [ 14 ]. In recent years, the cloning and expression analysis of functional genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis has become a popular topic of research.…”

A rapid method for identification of Lanxangia tsaoko origin and fruit shape: FT‐NIR combined with chemometrics and image recognition

“…Lanxangia tsaoko is an important member of the genus cardamom; it is known as one of the world's most valuable commercial spices and food additives; the component includes many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, essential oil, and flavonoid (Wang et al., 2021). Meanwhile, some characteristics were proved, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, neuroprotective, antitumor, and adjuvant therapy for diabetes (Yang et al., 2022). Hence, L. tsaoko has the potential to be a health food or health food material.…”