Kaempferia parviflora

In order to identify novel lead compounds with antiviral effects, methanol and aqueous extracts of some medicinal plants in the Zingiberaceae family were screened for inhibition of proteases from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). By bioassay-guided fractionation, eight fiavones were isolated from the black rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora Wall, ex Baker. The most effective inhibitors, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyfiavone and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, inhibited HIV-1 protease, with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values of 19 0,M. Moreover, 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone inhibited HCV protease and HCMV protease, with IC50 values of 190 and 250 pM, respectively. 

Sookkongwaree K, Geitmann M, Koengsumran S, Petsom A, Danielson UH. (2006) Inhibition of viral proteases by Zingiberaceae extracts and flavones isolated from Kaempferia parviflora. Pharmazie 61 717-721. 

Among local people in the northeast of Thailand, the rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora (Zingiberaceae) have been known as a health-promoting herb, which is also frequently used for the treatment of colic disorder, peptic and duodenal ulcers... 

Achillea alpina, A. millefolium, Anthriscus aemula, A. sylvestris, Heracleum dissectum, H. lanatum, Polygonum bistorta, Sanguisorba officinalis, S. grandiflora, S. parviflora, S. x tenuifolia, Taraxacum officinale Macleaya cordata Macleaya cordata Kaempferia galanga... 

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