The Nigerian <i>zanthoxylum</i>; chemical and biological values
Journal Title: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines - Year 2005, Vol 2, Issue 3
Abstract
The Nigerian [i]Zanthoxylum[/i] is a common component of the rain forest vegetation of Southern Nigeria, and is represented by eleven species. A few of these species occur more abundantly in the savannah and dry forest vegetation of South-western Nigeria. The eleven [i]Zanthoxylum[/i] species demonstrate very close similarities and relationships among themselves, and are identified as trees, erect shrubs or small trees, straggling or scandent shrubs or as a forest liane. Traditional healers throughout Nigeria have used species of the [i]Zanthoxylum[/i] for the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, rheumatism and lumbago. Metabolites isolated from [i]Zanthoxylum[/i] species so far include alkaloids, aliphatic and aromatic amides, lignans, coumarins, sterols, carbohydrate residues etc. Some of the metabolites have shown cytotoxic, molluscicidal, anticonvulsant, anti-sickling, anaesthetic, antibacterial, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties. A common feature of most, if not all, the species studied is the wonderful capacity to produce gums and volatile oils. These vary in composition and so show different properties. In this presentation, the author has discussed the chemistry of the various species examined to date. The focus has been on the local uses and commercial importance of the species, the values of the various metabolites in medicine and their general potential in drug development.
Authors and Affiliations
S. Adesina
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP112724
- DOI -
- Views 95
- Downloads 0
Piscicidal activity of alcoholic extract of nerium indicum leaf and their biochemical stress response on fish metabolism
Laboratory evaluations were made to asses the piscicidal activity of ethyl alcohol extract of Nerium indicum leaf against predatory fish Channa punctatus and their ultimate mode of action on fish metabolism. Toxicity ex...
ZINGIBER OFFICINALE: EVAULATION OF ITS NOOTROPIC EFFECT IN MICE
Dementia is one of the age-related mental problems, and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Nootropic agents and cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil® are clinically used in situations where there is org...
Anti-nociceptive activity of <i>hygrophila auriculata</i> (SCHUM) heine
[i]Hygrophila auriculata[/i] (Schum) Heine (syn) [i]Asteracantha longifolia[/i] Nees, Acanthaceae was described in ayurvedic literature as Ikshura, Ikshugandha, and Kokilasha. The plant was extensively used in traditiona...
An investigation on antimicrobial activity of endemic <i>origanum solymicum</i> and origanum bilgeri from Turkey
The methanol extracts obtained from endemic [i]Origanum solymicum[/i] P. H. Davis and [i]Origanum bilgeri[/i] P. H. Davis have been investigated for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined Esc...
A study of the effect of pumpkin (ugu-<i>telfaira occidentals</i>) milk and raw egg mixture in the treatment of anaemic pregnant women in a rural area
Thirty anaemic pregnant women aged 29.5± 6.5 years with baseline mean packed cell volume (PCV) of 20.8 ± 2.0% were studied. Freshly prepared Ugu (pumpkin-[i]Telfaira occidentalis[/i]) mixture containing ugu (pumpkin) flu...