Biological Standardisation of Zanthoxylum Roots for Antisickling Activity

Abstract

Antisickling activity reported in the aqueous extracts of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (LAM.) WATERMAN (= Fagara xanthoxyloides AM.) root has been demonstrated in roots of other species of Zanthoxylum. Z. gilletii (DE WILD.) WATERMAN (= Fagara macrophylla ENGL.) showed a much higher sickling reversal potency than Z. xanthoxyloides. The unit of antisickling activity has been defined and a procedure is described for estimation of the potency of sickling reversal activity (p-hydroxy benzoic acid equivalent) in antisickling agents whether synthetic or natural in origin.

Key Word Index

Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides - Sickle cell anaemia - Sickling reversal standardisation