Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Zanthoxylum alatum roxb Stem Bark

Abstract

In humans, reactive oxygen species induce inflammation through oxidative stress. Persistent inflammation generates a large number of free radicals, which eventually create additional inflammation. This never-ending vicious loop can harm multiple components in the human body. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency of a locally available plant Zanthoxylum alatum utilizing both in vivo and in vitro models. Carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma model were used to assess the anti-inflammatory potency of the extracts while as DPPH quenching and reducing power estimation were used to assess the antioxidant potency of the drug. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Zanthoxylum alatum stem bark showed dose dependent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. Aqueous extract was further fractioned using different organic solvents which also revealed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. The current data revealed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of Zanthoxylum alatum. However, more research is needed in order to isolated and identify the active principle in order to support the existing findings.