Sichuan-pepper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sichuan-pepper
• Sichuan Pepper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. In Central Asia, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Uzbekistan. The species is widely scattered throughout China, spanning from the Inner Mongolia region to Manchuria. Additionally, it can be found growing in the China North-Central territories. Finally, its range extends into the China South-Central areas, showcasing its adaptability to different climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zanthoxylum bungeanum is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically occupying a specialized niche within montane ecosystems. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that begins at 2200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Such a distribution indicates an adaptation to the cooler temperatures, increased UV exposure, and specific moisture regimes typical of high-elevation montane or subalpine zones. Within this vertical gradient, the plant plays a role in the structural complexity of its habitat, thriving in the distinct environmental conditions found between these specific altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Xanthoxylum buchananum is characterized by its distinct growth form as a tree. This species exhibits a woody constitution, developing a robust and permanent structural framework typical of arborescent plants. Rather than functioning as a climber, it maintains an upright posture, and as a terrestrial plant, it grows directly in the soil rather than existing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zanthoxylum bungeanum is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a trait common among most woody perennial species in the Rutaceae family. In this pathway, carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound through the action of the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, occurring primarily within the mesophyll cells. This physiological mechanism dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange patterns, as the reliance on C3 metabolism makes the plant susceptible to photorespiration under high temperatures or limited water availability. The plant's physiological processes are further integrated with the biosynthesis of complex secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids and essential oils, which are synthesized through specialized metabolic pathways to serve defensive and adaptive functions. These metabolic activities are tightly regulated by environmental cues, influencing the plant's transpiration rates, nutrient uptake, and overall energy assimilation efficiency.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, fruit.

Leaf

1. Natural product research
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Fruit

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hyperoside, quercitrin, RUTIN, Terpenoids, Volatile oil.

Hyperoside

1. Natural product research
2. Toxins
3. TheScientificWorldJournal
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

quercitrin

1. Natural product research
2. TheScientificWorldJournal
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

RUTIN

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Terpenoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Horticulture research

Volatile oil

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Fitoterapia

oleic acid

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

quercetin

1. Toxins
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

1A

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

2A

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Anthocyanins

1. Horticulture research

Activities

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has 7 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antitumor, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Antifungal

1. Food chemistry: X

Antioxidant

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antipruritic

1. Food chemistry: X

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Conditions

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has 23 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, pain, tumors, COPD, antioxidant activity.

Inflammation

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Fitoterapia

Pain

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Tumors

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Copd

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant activity

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Ascariasis

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Bacteria

1. Fitoterapia

Breast cancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cognitive dysfunction

1. Food & function

Cognitive impairment

1. Food & function

Preparations

Zanthoxylum bungeanum has 8 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include BEO, Essential oils, ZBSO, dried ripe fruit peel, methanolic extract.

Beo

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oils

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Zbso

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Dried ripe fruit peel

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Methanolic extract

1. Toxins

Petroleum ether (pe)

1. Food & function

Seed oil

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Water extracts

1. Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control