Evaluation of dermal toxicity and antioxidant property of zanthoxylum oxyphyllum extracts

Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum is a tropical plant, which is traditionally used in the treatment and management of various conditions including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, skin infection and wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant property and acute dermal toxicity of Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum. For evaluation of antioxidant properties DPPH radical scavenging activity and Nitric oxide scavenging activity was performed. Oxidation is the integral part of aerobic process of life. It involves the transfer of electrons or hydrogen via a chemical reaction from a substance to an oxidizing agent leading to the production of free radicals. These free radicals which are highly reactive in turn initiate a chain of reactions that lead to cellular damage. This present study showed Both the hydroethanolic and chloroform extracts of the selected plant was positive for antioxidant properties. Acute dermal toxicity of Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum was determined in rabbit according to OECD guideline 402. Both the extracts were non-sensitizing to rabbit skin and caused very little or no irritation in intact and damaged skin rabbits treated with single and multiple doses. Irritation scores did not differ significantly between the control and treatment groups, according to the acute dermal toxicity study.