CRUDE ALKALOIDS FROM FRUIT, BARK, LEAVES AND ROOT OF ZANTHOXYLUM ARMATUM SHOWED ANTI-Α- GLUCOSIDASE, ANTI-UREASE AND ANTI-LIPOXYGENASE ACTIVITY

Abstract

Zanthoxylum armatum (ZA) (family: Rutaceae) is one of the commonly used spices, food ingredient and medicinal plant in the traditional medicine in Asia. The plant extracts containing secondary metabolites are good source of enzyme inhibitors and potential source of medicines. The alkaloid fraction isolated from stem bark (ZBA) showed maximum inhibition of 72.61±1.34% with IC50 values of 325.62±1.29 µg/mL. This activity was significant when compared to the standard drug Acarbose (IC50 = 375.82±1.76µM). The isolated crude alkaloids were also screened against the urease enzyme. The fruit alkaloids ZFA showed excellent inhibitory activity with 87.28±1.35% with IC50 values of 57.95±1.23 µg/mL. Similarly, alkaloids from root bark also showed good activity. Anti-lipoxygenase inhibitory studies of alkaloids fractions were also assessed and the results are tabulated in table I. The alkaloids fractions from root bark and fruit showed maximum inhibition of 5- LOX with percentage inhibition of 91.36±0.87 (IC50 ±S.E.M = 42.83±0.58) and 89.42±0.84 (IC50 ±S.E.M=32.25±0.67), respectively. The results showed inhibitory activity against the enzymes tested, therefore, motivating the use of natural products as source of enzyme inhibitors due to greater structural diversity. The results showed that alkaloids fractions have the potential to treat diabetes, inflammation, gastritis, ulcers and other related disorders by acting as enzyme inhibitor.