GC-MS analysis and biological evaluation of essential oil of Zanthoxylum rhesta (Roxb.)‎ DC pericarp

Abstract EN

The present study reports the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiarrheal as well as the spasmolytic activity of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (DC) essential oil, fractionated oil and its principal constituent (Terpinen-4-ol).

The constituents of essential oil were characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS.

The pharmacological and biological activities of oil, its fraction and principal constituent were carried out in-vivo and in-vitro.

The oil was rich in a group of monoterpene family, constituted mainly of terpinen-4-ol (25.43%), sabinene (16.50%), β-pinene (10.4%), α-Terpineol (7.63%), γ-Terpinene (5.64%), α-pinene (4.33%), and linalool (3.25%).

The antioxidant capacities of the oil, fractions and terpinen-4-ol were assessed by using spectrophotometry to measure free radical scavenger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).

Furthermore, the oil, its fractions and terpinen-4-ol exhibited appreciable antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiarrheal and non-selective spasmolytic activity.

The study suggests that the oil and its main active constituent (terpinen-4-ol) of the studied plant would have high potential in the treatment of stress and gastrointestinal diseases.