Zanthoxylum ailanthoides
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a remarkable botanical species known for its diverse chemical profile and potential therapeutic properties. Researchers have specifically focused on the plant's stem to uncover its medicinal value. Within the stem bark, a key bioactive compound known as ailanthoidol has been identified. This chemical is of significant interest due to its potent antioxidant activities. Consequently, studying this plant offers promising insights into natural ways to combat oxidative stress.
- Synonyms
- Fagara Emarginella · Zanthoxylum Ailanthoides Var. Boninshimae · 11 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Distribution
- Africa
- Plant Parts
- Stem
Classification
Common Names
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a distinctive plant known by several unique regional names across different cultures. In Japan, it is frequently referred to as Japanese Prickly Ash or the more traditional karasu-zanshō. Its culinary and botanical significance is also reflected in the Chinese name chun ye hua jiao. In certain local contexts, the species is simply called tana. Finally, it is recognized in other regions by the name žltodrev pajaseňovitý.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a plant species known to have several botanical synonyms within the scientific literature. It is frequently referred to by the name Fagara ailanthoides, a classification that encompasses its various forms. This taxonomic complexity includes specific varieties such as Fagara ailanthoides var. inermis and Fagara ailanthoides var. pubescens. Additionally, the species is linked to other distinct names like Fagara boninshimae and Fagara emarginella. Understanding these overlapping identities is essential for accurate botanical identification and study.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a distinctive member of the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It belongs to the specific order Sapindales, which connects it to various other woody plants. Further narrowing its botanical identity, it is placed within the family Rutaceae. Finally, this plant is a specialized representative of the genus Zanthoxylum.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Genus | Zanthoxylum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a resilient species widely distributed across the temperate regions of Asia. Its presence is firmly established throughout various parts of China, including the South-Central and Southeast provinces. The plant also flourishes in Eastern Asia, making significant appearances in Japan and Korea. Furthermore, its natural range extends to specific locales such as the Kazan-retto region. This broad geographic spread highlights the plant's ability to adapt to diverse temperate environments across the continent.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a self-supporting tree that establishes a sturdy presence in its natural habitat. Reaching a maximum height of 18 meters, this species exhibits a robust growth form. Its impressive stature makes it a notable feature within its ecological landscape.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a plant utilized in traditional Chinese herbal medicine that contains promising bioactive compounds. Research highlights that its derived neolignan, ailanthoidol, exhibits significant antioxidant activity through its radical quenching properties. When tested in mouse models, this component effectively reduces oxidative stress and inhibits the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the skin. Furthermore, the substance demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing protein expression and reducing leukocyte infiltration. These collective findings suggest that the plant holds substantial potential as a chemopreventive agent against tumor promotion.
Compounds
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a medicinal plant that serves as a rich source of several bioactive compounds. Research has identified that this species contains ailanthoidol, a neolignan with significant potential as a chemopreventive agent against tumor promotion. Additionally, the stem bark of the plant yields several other important constituents, including decarine and evofolin B. Studies also highlight the presence of hinokinin and xanthyletin within its chemical profile. Together, these diverse compounds contribute to the plant's notable ability to inhibit superoxide generation and inflammatory responses.
Conditions
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides demonstrates significant therapeutic potential by treating 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumor promotion through the action of its constituent ailanthoidol. The plant's alkaloids also exhibit remarkable anti-proliferative activities, effectively treating Hepatic tumor cells (Hep G2), cervical tumor cells (Hela), and colon tumor cells (HT-29). Furthermore, specific compounds isolated from its stem bark, such as ailanthamide and xanthyletin, are capable of treating elastase release by neutrophils. These diverse biological activities highlight the plant's efficacy against various cancer cell lines and inflammatory responses. Together, these findings underscore the medicinal value of the species in addressing tumor progression and neutrophil-driven inflammation.
Preparations
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is prepared as stem bark to facilitate the isolation of various chemical constituents. Researchers have successfully extracted five new compounds and 17 known compounds from this specific plant part. These isolated amides and benzenoids, such as ailanthamide, demonstrate significant biological activity. Specifically, the compounds found in the stem bark show inhibitory effects on superoxide generation and elastase release by neutrophils. This preparation method allows for the identification of bioactive substances through spectroscopic and MS analyses.
Parts used
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides serves as a significant botanical source for various bioactive chemical compounds. Research has specifically identified that several amides and benzenoids can be isolated from the stem bark of this plant. Among these findings, five new compounds were discovered alongside seventeen known substances through detailed spectroscopic analysis. These extracted components, such as ailanthamide and xanthyletin, demonstrate a notable ability to inhibit superoxide generation in human neutrophils. Ultimately, the stem of the plant provides essential chemical tools for studying the inhibition of elastase release and other inflammatory responses.