Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb) DC

Abstract

The leaves of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb) DC are used in Indian system of medicine. The
present study deals with the physicochemical, phytochemical investigation, and in vitro
antioxidant activity on various extracts of the plant. The leaf extracts of Z. rhetsa were
prepared with five different solvents such as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and
water. The results of this study showed that leaves powder of Z. rhetsa is rich in secondary
metabolites and contain many bioactive compounds. Amongst five extracts, the aqueous
extract was rich in phytoconstituents and showed high inhibition rate against free radicals.
The extracts of Z. rhetsa were explored as good and potential drug against free radicals and
human threatening diseases.
Keywords: Zanthoxylum rhetsa, physicochemical properties, phytochemical properties, in
vitro antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity
Prabhash T, Nayagam AAJ, Natarajan
RK. Free radical scavenging activity of
Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb) DC.
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life
Sciences. 2017; 7(2): 17–26p.