Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the phytoconstituents, estimation of total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Zanthoxylum armatum from Myagdi district of Nepal.
 Methods: The seeds extract of Zanthoxylum armatum was prepared by cold percolation in hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol with continuous agitation. Phytochemical analysis for each extracts was performed by color differentiation method adopting the standard protocol. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was performed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay by taking ascorbic acid as standard. Total phenolic content was estimated by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent method.
 Results: The analysis of secondary metabolites showed the presence of quinones and terpenoidsin almost all extracts while alkaloids, polyphenols, tannins and saponins were abundant in polar extracts. The results of antioxidant activity showed the methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum IC50 87.47µg/ml was found to be more antioxidant as compared to the standard ascorbic acid IC50 66.40 µg/ml. Ethyl acetate extract showed moderate antioxidant activity with IC50 142.04 µg/ml, whereas hexane extract showed the poor antioxidant activity with IC50 384.03 µg/ml. The result of total phenolic content showed, ethyl acetate fraction has the highest 26.28±9.35 mg GAE/g as compared to methanol extract 23.36±14.80 mg GAE/g and hexane extract showed the poor phenolic content 20.05±8.0 mg GAE/g.
 Conclusion: The seeds extracts of Zanthoxlum armatum were found the rich source of secondary metabolites. The methanol extract was found potent antioxidant as compared to ethyl acetate and hexane extract. It is concluded that further activity guided isolation approaches will be needed on methanol extract to identify the active compound responsible for in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity.
Highlights
Human beings are using whole plants or the plant parts as medicine to cure the simple and life threating diseases from the time immemorial
Hexane extract showed the presence of fatty acids, carotenoids, quinones and terpenoids; ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of terpenoids, fatty acids, and quinones whereas, the methanolic extract showed the presence of terpenoids, polyphenols and quinones and alkaloids
The total phenolic content of all fractions of seed extracts showed varied data ranging from 20.05±8.07 to 26.28±9.35 mg GAE/g in hexane and ethyl acetate fraction, respectively
Summary
Human beings are using whole plants or the plant parts as medicine to cure the simple and life threating diseases from the time immemorial. The major source of knowledge of natural product came due to the hit and trial uses of such natural sources as medicine and food since many years [2]. The biosynthesis and breakdown of proteins, fats, nucleic acids and carbohydrates, which are essential for the growth and development of living organisms is primary metabolism and the compounds involved in such mechanism are called primary metabolites. Secondary metabolites do not play an important role in the growth, development and reproduction of an organism but play a significant role in adapting the living organisms to the surrounding environment acting as a possible defense mechanism against enemies to assist in the survival of the organism. Secondary metabolites as natural products results by the basic process of photosynthesis, glycolysis and Krebs cycle occurring in the living organisms [3, 4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
