Zanthoxylum rhoifolium

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae known by the common names mamica de cadela,[1] tambataru,[2] and prickly ash.[2][3] It is native to South America.[4][5] It is a common tree on the Cerrado.[6]

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium
A leaf of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium with many pairs of leaflets
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Zanthoxylum
Species:
Z. rhoifolium
Binomial name
Zanthoxylum rhoifolium

Description

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This species is a deciduous tree reaching up to 12 meters in height.[6] It produces a spherical black capsule about half a centimeter in length and width containing small, hard-coated seeds.[6]

Ecology

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The tree is not shade tolerant, so it can be found in open areas in and around forests.[6]

Uses

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This is a medicinal plant. The bark is used to treat toothache and earache.[1] It is used as an anti-inflammatory.[4] It is used to treat malaria.[4][7][8] Parts of the plant also have antibacterial[3] and fungicidal[9] action.

Chemical compounds

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It contains nitidine, an alkaloid with anti-malarial action.[8] It is of commercial value as a component of herbal remedies for malaria.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Pereira, S. S., et al. (2010). Antinociceptive effect of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae) in models of acute pain in rodents. Archived 2017-11-23 at the Wayback Machine J Ethnopharmacol 129(2):227-31
  2. ^ a b Begossi, A., et al. (1993). Plant uses in a Brazilian coastal fishing community (Buzios Island). Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine J Ethnopharmacol 13(2) 233-56.
  3. ^ a b Duke, J. A. Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America. CRC Press 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d da Silva, S. L., et al. (2007). Cytotoxic evaluation of essential oil from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. leaves. Archived 2012-07-02 at the Wayback Machine Acta Amaz 37(2)
  5. ^ Grandtner, M. M.; Chevrette, Julien (2013). Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press. p. 712. ISBN 9780123969545.
  6. ^ a b c d Silva, I. A., et al. (2009). Fire effects on the population structure of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam (Rutaceae) in a Brazilian savanna. Archived 2013-06-15 at the Wayback Machine Braz J Biol 69(3) 813-18.
  7. ^ Jullian, V., et al. (2006). Validation of use of a traditional antimalarial remedy from French Guiana, Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam.[permanent dead link] J Ethnopharmacol 106 348-52.
  8. ^ a b Bouquet, J., et al. (2012). Biological activities of nitidine, a potential anti-malarial lead compound. Archived 2014-03-13 at the Wayback Machine Malaria Journal 11:67
  9. ^ Prieto, J., et al. (2011). Chemical composition, insecticidal, and antifungal activities of fruit essential oils of three Colombian Zanthoxylum species. Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 71(1) 73-82.