ANTIPYRETIC AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY OF THE ROOTS OF ZANTHOXYLUM ARMATUM DC

Abstract

Introduction: Zanthoxylum armatum DC is a glandular aromatic shrubs belonging to family Rutaceae, widely found in the subtropical central Himalaya and Kumaoun region at 1000-3750 m, having intense medicinal value in Indian traditional system as larvicidal, antirheumatic, in mental disorder, and bronchial asthma etc. Material and methods: Antipyratic and CNS (stimulant) activity of Petroleum ether and Ethanolic extract of roots of Zanthoxylum armatum prepared by soxhletion evaluated using invivo standard method. Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia for Antipyretic and Actophotometric method for the CNS activity, wistar rats were subjected to healthy volunteers. Results: The results from this study showed that the antipyretic activity of petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of Zanthoxylum armatum roots has statisticaly significant (p> 0.05) response in Brewer’s induced fever and considerable CNS stimulant activity determined by actophotometer. Conclusion: The results obtained from current study showed that the petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of Zenthoxylum armatum roots posses antipyretic and CNS stimulant activity and suggest a good candidate for pharmaceutical natural product.