Articles Vol. 66 No. Vol 67. English Version No 2 11/06/2026

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF NGHE BO CAP (CURCUMA RANGJUED) RHIZOME EXTRACT AND MOLECULAR DOCKING ANALYSIS OF ITS MAJOR BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

Phan Anh Thu1,2, Nguyen Nhat LOng1,2, Le Tri Vien1, Pham The Hai3, Do Thi Thao4, Tran Van Loc5, Le Dung Sy1, Le Nhat Minh1,6, Phan Nu Yen Chi7, Tran Tuan Anh3, Nguyen Thi Duong8, Tran Thi Quynh Ngan2, Nguyen Le Bao Ngoc2, Phung Thi Kim Hue1,2
1 Institute of Health Research and Educational Development in Central Highlands, Gia Lai, Vietnam
2 Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted, Vietnam
3 University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
4 Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
5 Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
6 Foreign Trade University, Hanoi, Vietnam
7 Soka University of America, Life Sciences Concentration, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo City, Orange County, California, USA, zip code 92656
8 Thao Nguyen Duong Traditional Family Medicine Clinic, Bac Gia Nghia Ward, Lam Dong, Vietnam
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66i8.4076
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Keywords
Curcuma rangjued, Cytokine, Inflammation, Nghe Bo Cap, TNF-α, PGE-2
Abstract

"Nghe bo cap" is the local name for a plant characterized by yellow, scorpion-shaped rhizomes. Taxonomic identification classified this species as Curcuma rangjued (Hue et al., 2024), distributed primarily in mountainous regions of Dak Glong Commune, Dak Glong District, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Traditional medicine practitioners have employed herbal preparations from this species to treat bronchitis, asthma, gastric disorders, and infections, attributing these applications to purported anti-inflammatory properties. However, no scientific evidence has substantiated these medicinal claims.

This study extracted essential oil from C. rangjued rhizomes and evaluated its inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and PGE-2) through in vitro assays. Molecular docking analysis investigated the mechanisms of action for key bioactive compounds identified in the essential oil and assessed potential anti-inflammatory activities.

The essential oil of C. rangjued (GEC) inhibited TNF-α expression at 11.38 μM (p < 0.05) and PGE-2 expression at 22.36 μM (p < 0.01). Molecular docking revealed that germacrone and curcumenol exhibited binding affinities toward PGE-2 of 0.96 μM and 0.2 μM, respectively, and toward TNF-α of 1.39 μM and 0.10 μM, respectively. These compounds formed stable interactions with TNF-α, consistent with the observed anti-inflammatory activity. 

These findings suggest that C. rangjued rhizome possesses therapeutic potential for anti-inflammatory  through the bioactive compounds germacrone and curcumenol. Further in vivo studies are warranted to validate these preliminary results and establish clinical applications.

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