An overview of the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils from Alpinia genus (Zingiberaceae)

Roxb. is the largest genus of the Zingiberaceae family. A large number of species has been used as food and traditional medicines. essential oils have been studied for their chemical profiles, in which 1,8-cineole, β-pinene, α-pinene, β-myrcene, camphor, γ-terpinene, -cymene, geraniol, α-fenchyl acetate, ocimene, methyl cinnamate, and β-caryophyllene have been found to be the major compounds. Essential oils isolated from plants have been reported to have antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, tyrosinase inhibitory, insecticidal, and larvicidal activities and slimming aromatherapy. In this review, the comprehensive information regarding the volatile components of various plants, the bioactivities of essential oils and their major compounds are provided.