A Review on Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb

The genus Zanthoxylum belonging to family Rutaceae comprises over 250 species, among them Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb is a medicinal shrub, locally known as "Timber" growing in the valleys of sub-tropical Himalayas. Local names of this plant are: Tejphal (Hindi), Tejowati (sanskrit), Mukthrubi (Manipuri) and Timur (Nepal)18. It occurs in hot valleys of the sub-tropical Himalayas from jammu to assam and khasi hills at 600 to 1800m. Its fruits branches and thorns are generally used as carminative, stomachic, and remedy for toothache. In India, different parts of the Z. alatum are used in Ayurvedic practices for the treatment of skin diseases, abdominal pain, anorexia. The genus has much ethanobotanical importance and is used as source of pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw material. Traditionally, leaves and fruits are used for mouth freshing and tooth care while bark is used for intoxicating the fishes. The ethano medicinal importance of its seeds has been well known for a long time in indian medicinal system as a stomachic, carminative, disinfectant, antiseptic, and for the treatment of fever, dyspepsia, cholera and general debility. Leaves, fruits and barks are used as spice. Z. alatum consists of following constituents identified from various parts which are alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin, tannins, steroids, terpenes, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolic, proteins, aminoacids and essential oil possessed several type of biological activities such as larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotics, anthelminthic, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, hepatoprotective activity, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity.