Dzomba Pamhidzai et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul – Aug 2013 482 Research Article www.ijrap.net TLC SEPARATION, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS DERIVED FROM ZANTHOXYLUM HUMILE ROOTS Dzomba Pamhidzai* and Gwizangwe Isaac Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe Received on: 05/05/13 Revised on: 27/06/13 Accepted on: 12/07/13 *Corresponding author E-mail: pdzomba@gmail.com DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.04403 Published by Moksha Publishing House. Website www.mokshaph.com All rights reserved. ABSTRACT Internationally there is an increased need to come up with new therapeutics to counteract cases of microbial resistance which is diminishing successes of current pharmaceuticals. Traditional medicines have been in use since time memorial and they offer better options as a source of new lead compounds as compared to synthetic designs and libraries. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of TLC isolated phytocompounds from Zanthoxylum humile roots. Disc diffusion method was employed to determine antibacterial activity while micro-plate serial dilution method was used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration of crude fractions. Anti-inflammatory activity was ascertained by the nitrite assay. The present study results reveals that Zanthoxylum humile roots consist of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity can be explained in terms of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids present in the extracts. Zanthoxylum humile roots TLC isolates revealed significantly greater antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity as compared to standard drugs cotrimoxazole and indomethacin. Results of the present study authenticate the use of Zanthoxylum humile roots in primary health care needs. Presence of phytocompounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids supports its use as medication for diarrhea, hypertension, diabetes, coughs and flu and as antivenins against snake bites. The presence of various bioactive compounds makes Zanthoxylum humile a promising plant as a source of new therapeutics that may be the answer to the current microbial resistance. Keywords: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Zanthoxylum humile, microbial resistance. INTRODUCTION Globally there is a dire need to come up with new therapeutics to counteract the ever increasing cases of multidrug resistance pathogens 1-5 . Synthetic libraries and drug designs can no longer adequately provide lead compounds for the development of new drugs and leaving natural product drug design as the only attractive option. The advent of high throughput screening methods has further made natural product drug design more feasible. WHO 6 report reveals that many people rely on traditional medicines in their primary health care needs. Markets for herbal medicines have been growing rapidly and significant economic rewards are being realized 7,8 . In the effort of providing a rationale behind the use of Zanthoxylum humile root extracts in traditional medicine this study was designed to investigate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of TLC separated extracts derived from Zanthoxylum humile roots. In traditional medicines Zanthoxylum humile has wide applications 7,8 , its roots are fused to make a decoction that is taken orally and is believed to consist of healing activity against conditions such as erectile dysfunction, diarrhea, hypertension and diabetes. Aqueous leaf and root extracts are used to treat ailments such as, abdominal pain, including backache and chest pains, strengthening bones and flu. Zanthoxylum humile is also used as mouth anesthetic for toothache. Pulverized roots are added to water and drunk as antivenins against snake bites. Powdered leaves are also applied as poultice on wounds and burns and help in accelerating healing. The plant grows in the wild in many African countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia. It falls under the family rutaceae. Zanthoxylum humile is currently not a protected species in many African countries. Protection may be supported primarily if the plant has shown livelihood and commercial value. Scientific researches may promote and provide the impetus for sustainable use of the species, which would otherwise become extinct. Reports appearing in literature have shown that other species in the same family such as Zanthoxylum chalybeum 9 and Zanthoxylum chiloperone 10 consist of antimicrobial activity. Despite its wide application 7,8 in traditional medicines in India and most Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia scientific researches on antimicrobial and inflammatory activity of Zanthoxylum humile is scarce therefore providing a rationale behind this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials All reagents including solvents used were of analytical grade purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA). Plant collection Roots were collected in March 2013 according to WHO 6 guidelines from the Mashonal and East region, Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. The plant was identified with the help of local people and later validated by a taxonomist at Harare national herbarium and voucher specimen No. ZH2012/12 was deposited in the chemistry department (natural product Herbarium) of Bindura University for future reference purposes.