Cytotoxicity and Anti-trypanosomal Properties of Compounds isolated from Ethylacetate fraction of Zanthoxylum leprieurii

Zanthoxylum leprieurii find wide application in African Traditional Medicinal Practice (ATMP) for treating various diseases. Solvent extraction was carried out on the stem back of Z. leprieurii using 95% aqueous methanol by cold maceration. The extract was concentrated in a rotary evaporator at 40oC to yield 22% dry crude extract. Toxicity studies by the Lorke's method revealed high safety margin with LD50 > 5000 g/kg. The crude extract was subjected to solvent-guided fractionation by gradient elution on silica gel to obtain n-hexane (HF), ethylacetate (EAF), absolute methanol (MF) and water fractions (WF) respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of only alkaloids and flavonoids in EAF, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids in ME, alkaloid and tannins in WF and mainly fatty acids in HF. The EAF was subjected to TLC on silica gel plates eluted with 5: 1 mixture of diethylether and ethyl acetate to give six distinct bands B1-B6. The isolated compounds were assessed for overt cytotoxicity on Hela (Human cervix adenocarcinoma) cells. Compounds B2 and B3 showed significant activities with IC50 < 50 µg/mL. The trypanosoidal activity of EAF carried out on Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) revealed IC50 of 45 µg/mL. Results showed that stem bark of Z. leprieurii can be used to manage trypanosomoiasis and certain forms of cancer.