Botanical, Physicochemical, and Phytochemical Studies of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepernick and Timler (Rutaceae) Stem and Root Bark

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, a medicinal plant overexploited in Burkina Faso due to the use of its roots for therapeutic purposes has been studied and it seems that the profile of the powder from stem and root bark are almost similar. This study aims to compare the botanical, physicochemical, and phytochemical parameters of Z. zanthoxyloides powder from stem and root bark for rational use. Botanical characters were carried out while methanol and water extraction yield, residual moisture, total ash, and insoluble ash in chlorohydric acid were estimated. Phytochemical screening was realized by the HPTLC using a THF-toluene-formic acid-water (59:30:7:4, v /v/v/v) solvent system. The total phenol and flavonoid content of both methanolic and aqueous extracts were quantified and their antioxidant activities were assessed using the ferric ion-reducing power and DPPH methods. Important fibers were observed in the root powder. The total percentage of ash and hydrochloric acid ash in the stem and root barks was almost similar in both samples, while the methanol yield (10.78±1.1%) was significant for the roots. The HPTLC profile of the methanolic extracts exhibited the presence of gallic acid and derivatives of chlorogenic acid. The total phenol content of the methanolic extracts from stem and root barks was significantly different (p-value <0.001) within the three sites. However, no significant difference (p-value >0.05) was observed in the phenol content of the aqueous extracts from stem and root barks. The Ferric reducing capacity of water extracts of the stem (104.69±5.17 mg EAA/g) and root bark (83.56±2.16 mg EAA/g) was higher than methanol extract. DPPH inhibition of methanolic extract of the stem (56.84±0.96%) and root bark (58.38±0.84%) was more important than water extract. These results can contribute to Z. zanthoxyloides monography edition, standardization of their raw materials, and his rational use for phytomedicines development.