A Comparative Approach on the Phytochemical Investigation of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloids and Zanthoxylum macrophylum (Rutaceae) in the Central African Republic and Togo: A Case Study

Abstract

The study carried out on Z. zanthoxyloids and Z. macrophylum, lays on the program of valorizing phytogenetical resources. The health benefits and toxicity of plant products are largely dependent on their secondary metabolite contents. These compounds are biosynthesized by plants as protection mechanisms against environmental factors and infectious agents. Monographic and phytochemical research are included. These resources' internal uses demonstrate their significance on the level of African nations like Nigeria, Togo, the Congo, the Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, Benin, Senegal, and Mali. The most popular species for treating rheumatism is Z. macrophylum. Z. zanthoxyloids is the species that is employed the most in all inner practices. With the exception of Senegal, which has distinct applications, analysis in multiple correspondences (AMC) with a partial contribution of 80% reveals that there is a correlation of uses across all nations. Total extracts obtains from the two specific species from the Central African and Togolese flora have various yielding according to different organs. The most important proportions are that Z. macrophylum barks from Togo (20%); Z. zanthoxyloids barks from the Central African Republic (19%); Z. zanthoxyloids barks from Togo (17%) and Z. macrophylum barks and roots from the Central African Republic (16%). The issues of phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, of tannins, of flavonoids and saponosids in the organs of the two species. Meanwhile, one notices that : there is a total lack of alcaloids in the level of barks; the absence of saponisides in the level of Togolese and Central African Z. macrophylum leaves; tannins are also absent in the barks of Central African Z. zanthoxyloids barks and Togolese Zanthoxylum macrophylum roots. These differences in components according to Togolese and Central African Republic can be explained by chemotics which in a variety of in chemical components due to specific environmental factors of each milieu.