Abstract

The present study was carried out to identify phytochemical compounds and to study the hepatoprotective activity of Zanthoxylum armatum rhizome. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard procedures to quantify total alkaloid and phenolic contents. Hepatoprotective activity was determined using paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Zanthoxylum armatum extracts showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, oils, tannins and carbohydrates. The methanol extract has more phenolic and alkaloid contents than other extracts. The methanol extract at 500 mg/kg showed greater hepatoprotective activity with 66.87, 64.84, 67.95, 60.76 and 65.85 % protection on aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and total protein enzyme levels of the liver, respectively. The results of the present study and previous reports indicated that phytochemical constituents variety in Zanthoxylum armatum and its' extracts possessed antioxidant, antibacterial and hepatoprotective activity.