Abstract

Zanthoxylum known as “Timoor” is used as mouth fresh, tooth care, spice and in intoxicating of the fishes. The present study deals with documentation of isolated chemical constituents and biological activities of the genus Zanthoxylum. The chemical constituents and essential oil have been isolated and characterized by several analytical methods. Alkaloids and cumarins are the main constituents of the genus. The presence of alkaloids and essential oil, Zanthoxylum possessed several types of biological activities such as larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antibiotic, hepatoprotective, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, anthelminthic, antiviral and antifungal.

Key words: Zanthoxylum, alkaloids, essential oil, biological activities