Pharmacognostic Profiling and Pharmacological Screening of Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium DC – A Sub-Himalayan Shrub of Ethnomedicinal Value

The world is blessed with so many closely related plant species belonging to the same family and genus that their correct identification, organoleptic, physical, pharmacological evaluation and detection of adulterants, is of paramount importance. The objective of the proposed work is to carry out the Pharmacognostic investigation, volatile oil isolation, preliminary analysis and pharmacological study of the isolated volatile oil from the plant Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. Organoleptic studies, determination of stomatal number, and stomatal index, powder microscopy of the fruits, proximate analysis, essential oil isolation by hydro distillation technique, preliminary analysis and anti inflammatory activity of the essential oil. The fruit powder exhibited high values of total ash and sulphated ash content indicating high quantity of carbonates and oxides whereas lower acid insoluble ash indicating less siliceous materials like earth or sand. The essential oils exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals compared to the standard drug Diclofenac Sodium. These values are helpful in determining the quality and purity of crude drugs in powdered form. As proper information regarding this plant was not available this study was carried out with an effort for correct identification of the plant and evaluation of pharmacological activity of its extracted oils. The encouraging finding of the study prompts for further research on the subject.