Sains Malaysiana 55(1)(2026): 93-102

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5501-07

 

Neuroprotective Effects of Zerumbone on Cognitive Functions: A Scoping Review

(Kesan Neuropelindung Zerumbon terhadap Fungsi Kognitif: Suatu Ulasan Skop)

 

FARAH SYAHIBAH MOHD HARIRI¹, ASMAH HAMID^1,*, FARAH WAHIDA IBRAHIM¹, NURUL FARHANA JUFRI¹, MAZLYZAM ABDUL LATIF¹ & KHAIRANA HUSAIN²

 

¹Center for Toxicology & Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences,

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

²Centre for Drug and Herbal Development (CDHD), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Diserahkan: 18 Jun 2025/Diterima: 15 Disember 2025

 

Abstract

Zerumbone (ZER) is a sesquiterpenoid compound derived from the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, also known as Lempoyang ginger. Evidence suggests that ZER may help manage cognitive disorders. Its unique chemical structure and effects on the central nervous system make it a promising candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review analyzes nine preclinical studies, including six rodent and three cell-based models, which demonstrate ZER’s neuroprotective properties. The studies show that ZER has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, with six out of nine reporting increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Other mechanisms include cholinesterase inhibition, stimulation of neural stem cell proliferation, and regulation of key signalling pathways. ZER’s lipophilic nature allows it to cross the blood–brain barrier and act within the central nervous system. In all six animal studies, ZER improved behavioral and cognitive outcomes in models of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, scopolamine-induced amnesia, and age-related cognitive decline. These results support further development of ZER as a natural therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment. However, additional research, especially well-designed clinical trials, is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in humans.

Keywords: Cognitive function; neurodegenerative diseases; neuroprotective; sesquiterpenoid; zerumbone

 

Abstrak

Zerumbon (ZER) ialah sebatian seskuiterpenoid yang berasal daripada rizom Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, juga dikenali sebagai Lempoyang. Bukti menunjukkan bahawa ZER boleh membantu menguruskan gangguan kognitif. Struktur kimia dan kesannya yang unik pada sistem saraf pusat menjadikannya bahan aktif yang berpotensi untuk merawat penyakit neurodegeneratif. Ulasan ini menganalisis sembilan kajian praklinikal, termasuk enam model berasaskan tikus dan tiga model berasaskan sel yang menunjukkan sifat neuropelindung ZER. Kajian menunjukkan bahawa ZER mempunyai kesan anti-radang dan antioksidan yang kuat, dengan enam daripada sembilan melaporkan peningkatan aktiviti enzim antioksidan. Mekanisme lain termasuk perencatan kolinesterase, rangsangan percambahan sel stem saraf dan pengawalaturan laluan isyarat utama. Sifat lipofilik ZER membolehkannya melintasi penghalang darah-otak dan bertindak dalam sistem saraf pusat. Dalam keenam-enam kajian haiwan, ZER meningkatkan hasil tingkah laku dan kognitif dalam model penyakit Alzheimer, demensia vaskular, amnesia yang disebabkan oleh skopolamin dan penurunan kognitif berkaitan usia. Keputusan ini menyokong perkembangan selanjutnya ZER sebagai terapeutik semula jadi untuk penyakit neurodegeneratif dan gangguan kognitif. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian tambahan, terutamanya ujian klinikal yang direka bentuk dengan baik, diperlukan untuk mengesahkan keselamatan dan keberkesanannya pada manusia.

Kata kunci: Fungsi kognitif; neuropelindung; penyakit neurodegeneratif; seskuiterpenoid; zerumbon

 

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: asmah0901@ukm.edu.my