Phytochemicals And Antioxidants Properties of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Root Bark

Abstract

There have been studies on Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Orinata), family; Rutaceae, which has shown remarkable benefits of the plant to humans traditional medicine. Root or stem bark macerations, decoctions or infusions of the plant are widely taken to treat malaria, fever, sickle cell anemia, tuberculosis, paralysis, oedema and general body weakness. They are also widely taken to treat intestinal problems, including colic, dysentery, intestinal worms, gonorrhea and urethritis. Studies show that over 200 compounds have been isolated from the plant.  Many locals especially in Southern Nigeria are known to take their plant medicinal extract using local gin popularly known as ogogoro. This research was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of ethanol and local gin (ogogoro) extract of Zanthoxylum zathoxyloides root bark. Cold extraction by maceration was adopted using ethanol and local gin respectively. The local gin extract tends to have high percentage yield than that of the ethanol extract. The phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity were done according to standard methods and total flavonoid method. Alkaloids, saponin, cardiac glycosides, terpenoid and flavonoids were present in both extract, tannins and saponins was present in the local gin extract but were absent in the ethanol extract, while phlobatannins and starch were absent in both extract, both extract have fairly the same antioxidant properties with absorbance of 0.54 nm for 0.5ml extract concentration (ethanol extract) and 0.536 nm for 0.5 ml concentration (local gin). The study has shown that root extracts of Zanthoxylum zathoxyloides contains rich bioactive chemical constituents with significant antioxidant activity.