Quality evaluation of Zanthoxylum rhetsa fruits and seeds - a Thai traditional medicine

Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC or Ma-khwuang (Rutaceae family) has long been used in Thai culinary and traditional medicine. Its fruits and seeds are used for anti-diabetic, antispasmodic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory activity. Based on its medicinal usage, we have evaluated the quality parameters of Z. rhetsa fruits and seeds. Ten samples of Z. rhetsa fruits and seeds from different topographical areas, throughout Thailand, were examined following WHO guideline for quality control of medicinal plant materials. The Z. rhetsa fruits and seeds were evaluated by microscopic and physicochemical studies. The GC-MS study showed the major phytoconstituents of Z. rhetsa are sabinene (56.62%), 4-terpineol (13.82%), germacrene (10.1%), gramma-terpinene (5.5%) and alpha-terpinene (3.5%). These pharmacognostic specifications with GC-MS can be used to develop some standard parameters for judge the quality, quantity and impurity of Z. rhetsa crude drug future.