Elemental analysis and phytochemical characterisation of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepern. and Timler stem bark

Abstract

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is being used in African traditional medicine to treat an array of pathological conditions. Most notably is Sickle cell anaemia, one of the most important genetic haematological conditions affecting individuals of African descent. The stem bark of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepern. and Timler was analyzed for its proximate, elemental and phytochemical content. The proximate analysis parameters were determined to be 9.47%, 6.36%, 11.00%, 18.75%, 4.29% and 50.13% for the moisture, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, ash and total carbohydrate content respectively. Results show the sample contains; 12946.7760 ppm Na, 1012.9924 ppm K, 6055.5591 ppm Ca, 1093.8837 ppm Fe, 1478.5064 ppm Mg and 216.8516 ppm Zn. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the 70% ethanolic extract identified 46 chemical constituents representing various phytochemical classes including phytosterols, terpenes, coumarins and fatty aldehydes. The findings provide information on the elemental and phytochemical content of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides stem bark and a basis for identifying the bioactive constituents responsible for the attributed pharmacological actions of Z. Zanthoxyloides.