Bioassay-Guided Fractionation and Identification of Anti-Inflammatory and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Compounds of Zanthoxylum tessmannii Roots

Abstract

Several bioactive compounds identified in Zanthoxylum tessmannii have validated many traditional medicine applications of the plant. Studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of crude extracts of the plant and the allergenic properties of both extracts and fractions of the plant roots. This study aimed to identify the compounds responsible for these effects in Z. tessmannii roots. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, the aqueous extract was partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions, followed by partial purification of the most active fraction with silica gel chromatography.  Fractions and sub-fractions were tested for inhibition of protein denaturation, xanthine oxidase (XO), and lipoxygenase activities. The aqueous fraction (AF) showed significantly higher inhibition of protein denaturation (46.74±2.17%) compared to dichloromethane (35.05±1.51%) and butanol (34.78±1.09%) fractions at concentrations of 0.0015 mg/mL and 0.003 mg/mL. AF also demonstrated the highest inhibition of XO activity. Sub-fraction A, from the most active AF, showed 93.19±0.08% inhibition of lipoxygenase. GC-MS analysis of sub-fraction A identified compounds like E-15-Heptadecenal, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-2,3-dihydroxy propyl, trans-13-Octadecenoic acid, Oleic acid, and Tetraacetate 1-Hexanethiol. The findings highlight that Z. tessmannii root possesses compounds with known anti-inflammatory effects and those indicating allergenic symptoms, suggesting both therapeutic potential and possible harmful effects.