Abstract

ETHNOBOTANY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ZANTHOXYLUM NITIDUM: A SYSTEMIC REVIEW

Farak Ali, Shahnaz Alom* and Md. Kamaruz Zaman

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Abstract

Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC (Rutaceae), is a large prickly shrub, mainly found in South-east Asian and Australian region which is commonly known as Tez-mui in Assam. Its stem bark, small branches, leaves and fruits are ethnomedicinally prescribed in North-East India for treatment of various disease and ailments. The main objective behind this review article is to compile the updated information regarding the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological as well traditional uses of this plant. An extensive literature search regarding the underlying objective were carried out by using keywords ‘Zanthoxylum nitidum, or phytochemicals or pharmacological activities, or traditional uses or ethnomedicinal properties or herbal medicinal plants in North-eastern region on the search engine like Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus etc. The investigation and deep studies revealed that Zanthoxylum nitidum contain various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, coumarins, flavones, terpenes etc. The plant is extensively used in treatment of gingivitis, toothache, diarrhoea, paresis, boils, rheumatism, fever, cholic, vomiting, cholera, snake bite etc. Meanwhile, preclinical investigation has also taken place for different activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesics, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, haemostatic and so forth. This systemic review studies on its phytochemistry and pharmacological studies will contribute in further research about Z. nitidum plant for drug development.

Keywords: Zanthoxylum nitidum, Phytochemical constituents, Pharmacological activity, Ethnomedicine, Traditional use.