Chemical Composition and Skin Protective Effects of Essential Oil Obtained from Ginger (<i>Zingiber officinale</i> Roscoe)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and skin protective effects of essential oil from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a traditional Chinese medicine, spice, and food. Essential oil was extracted from ginger by hydrodistillation. Forty-three compounds were identified in ginger essential oil (GEO) by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. GEO comprised α-zingiberene (26.00 %), β-sesquiphyllandrene (8.10 %), α-curcumene (7.99 %), α-bergamotene (7.99 %), β-bisabolene (7.47 %), and ar-turmerone (3.86 %). Skin damage induced by eight-week Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, including erythema, wrinkles, and skin inflammation in nude mice. GEO treatment at three different concentrations ameliorated UVB-induced skin inflammation and inhibited interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α expression in skin tissues. Therefore, GEO adequately protected the skin from UVB irradiation and photoaging.