Evaluation of In-Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory Properties of Aerial Parts of Zanthoxylum rhesta.

Zanthoxylum rhesta is used as a traditional medicine in many parts of the world. The aim of the present study was to determine the invitro antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging methods. Z.rhesta aerial parts were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, mehthanol and water. Each extract was subjected to DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, flavonoids and reducing power determination. Ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts showed significant DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Methanol extract had highest amount of phenolic and flavonoids contents followed by ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. The reducing power was also found to be maximum in methanol extract. Hexane extract did not show any biological activity. The medicinal activity of the ethyl acetate, methanol and water extract validated the traditional claims of this plant for the treatment of various ailments.