Curcuma comosa (Zingiberaceae) is widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. In Myanmar, the rhizome of Curcuma comosa is called Sa-nwin-ga, and local people had used it as a traditional medicine for stomach ache, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This species produces secondary metabolites of phenolic and nonphenolic groups. Phenolic groups like diarylheptanoids and flavonoids. While nonphenolics are terpenoids, especially sesqui- and monoterpenes. In this chapter, the group of sesquiterpene compounds from Curcuma comosa starts from the isolation technique, followed by the elucidation of the molecular structure, and their activity tests have been discussed.
Part of the book: Terpenes and Terpenoids
Plants are the storage place for many active ingredients that are currently used in pharmaceuticals. Proofs have been expanded for ages to indicate the profitable capacity of medicinal plants used in various infections, especially for cancer treatment. The plants, Chromolaena odorata (Family Asteraceae), Croton oblongifolius Roxb. (Family Euphorbiaceae), Tinospora cordifolia (Family Menispermaceae), Melastoma malabathricum L. (Family Melastomaceae), and Dioscorea bulbifera (Family Dioscoreaceae) have been used for a long time in Myanmar’s traditional medicine. This study aimed to review systematically the cytotoxic activity of the whole plants and their extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds from these selected medicinal plants. This chapter also be substantiated for additional analysis on phytochemical constituents and pharmacological action of therapeutic plants species in Myanmar.
Part of the book: Cytotoxicity