The rhizomes of Z. zerumbet are especially known for their medicinal properties. Z. zerumbet has a wide range of traditional uses, including treatments for typhoid, stomach ailments, allergies, poisoning, appetite enhancement, constipation, haemorrhoids, asthma, skin diseases, and postnatal care .
Zerumbone is the main bioactive compound found in Zingiber zerumbet, a plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family and commonly known as pinecone, Asian ginger, wild ginger, and shampoo ginger.
Zerumbone was found to possess immunomodulatory activity via modulation of MAPK and NFкB pathways as well as cytokines production . The immunomodulatory activities of this compound is due to the existence of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based moiety in its structure.
Zerumbone treatment inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing the expression of CXCR4, RhoA proteins, and PI3K-mTOR signalling pathway, causing G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by apoptotic activity.
Zerumbone is a chemical found in the roots of shampoo ginger. It has many uses, including fighting tumors and affecting the immune system. Zerumbone affects the immune system. Investigations show that zerumbone has strong immunosuppressive effects. The compound was shown to suppress inflammation by reducing NO production, COX2, PGE2, and iNOS expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. This potent immunomodulator has been studied for its anticancer effects. Studies on cancer cells and animals show that zerumbone could be an anticancer agent. It has been studied for its anti-tumor, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic effects. Zerumbone can stop tumors from growing in Raji cells, cervical cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Cancer is still a major global health risk, causing about 9.8 million deaths in 2018. Even though new treatments for cancer have been developed, there are still few effective therapies because they are not selective, have side effects, are toxic, and cause tumors to grow back. We need new, safe treatments for cancer. Natural sources contain chemicals that can help treat human diseases. Zerumbone is a compound from Zingiber zerumbet Smith. It has many uses, including as an antioxidant, antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic. Zerumbone has anti-cancer effects by suppressing cancer cell growth and spread. It does this by changing the way certain proteins and pathways work. This review looks at how zerumbone can help treat different types of cancer.