Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm.: A Scoping Review of its Medicinal Properties.

Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. is a herbal plant of tropical and subtropical Asia which is continuously studied for its medicinal properties. The plant has a vast range of traditional uses including treatment of stomach ailments, allergies, appetite improvement, constipation relief, asthma, and skin diseases. This scoping review aimed to systematically search and collate the available scientific evidence on the efficacy of Z. zerumbet and its main phytoconstituents in various formulations; their biological mechanisms, and safety. A systematic search was done using predetermined keywords in selected electronic databases including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and Google Scholar. The articles were screened base on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only in vivo and clinical studies were considered for inclusion. Out of 2920 records, 54 articles were included consisting of preclinical in vivo studies while there were no published clinical trials. Only half of the included studies had adequate reporting on the quality related details of Z. zerumbet formulations. Z. zerumbet and its main bioactive phytoconstituent, zerumbone demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, and locomotor activity reduction properties. The ethanolic extract of Z. zerumbet was found to be well tolerated up to 28 days. In conclusion, Z. zerumbet and zerumbone has the potential to be further investigated clinically with focus on analgesic and anti-inflammatory models. The safety of zerumbone and the herbal quality standards reporting needs to be further established for better interpretation of results and translation into future clinical trials.