Zanthoxylum
Zanthoxylum, commonly known as prickly ash or toothache tree, is a versatile genus of shrubs and trees prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its pungent, numbing properties, it contains bioactive alkaloids used to treat digestive issues and dental pain, offering a powerful natural remedy rooted in ancient herbal practices.
- Scientific name: Zanthoxylum
- Family: Rutaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zanthoxylum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Zanthoxylum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found in Burkina, contributing to the regional biodiversity of the area. Furthermore, its presence extends to the coastal and inland territories of Gambia. Finally, the plant's range reaches into Guinea-Bissau, completing its distribution across these West African nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Zanthoxylum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include L-asarinin, L-sesamin, SM, coumarins, lignans.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| L-asarinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-sesamin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SM | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skimmianine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sucrose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Zanthoxylum has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antitussive.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitussive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Zanthoxylum has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, pain, antihypertensive, bacterial diseases, brain diseases.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| brain diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |