• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.181-185
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• 2011

Objectives : The Zanthoxylum pericarpium has been used as oriental spicy seasoning and a medicinal plant from old times. This study was performed to determine the anti-oxidant efficacy of Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract and the anti-microbial effects. Methods : We got Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract using PSE (pressurized solvent extraction) method. The anti-microbial effect of Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract was assessed on Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) and anti-oxidant effect of the extract was assessed by measuring DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD like activity. Results : 1. Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract had high anti-microbial activity on S. mutans. 2. DPPH radical scavenging activity significantly increased in the Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract. 3. SOD like activity also significantly increased in the Zanthoxylum pericarpium extract. Conclusions : The PSE extract from Zanthoxylum pericarpium has good anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects in a concentration-dependent manner.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 2015

Objectives : Due to the morphological similarity of the pericarp and description of multi-species in National Pharmacopoeia of Korea and China, the Zanthoxylum Pericarpium is difficult to authenticate adulterant in species levels. Therefore, we introduced the sequence analysis of DNA barcode and identification of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) to establish a reliable tool for the distinction of Zanthoxylum Pericarpium from its adulterants. Methods : To analyze DNA barcode region, genomic DNA was extracted from twenty-four specimens of authentic Zanthoxylum species and inauthentic adulterant and the individual internal transcribed spacer regions (rDNA-ITS and ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene were amplified using ITS1, ITS2-S2F, and ITS4 primer. For identification of species-specific sequences, a comparative analysis was performed using entire DNA barcode sequences. Results : In comparison of four Zanthoxylum ITS2 sequences, we identified 16, 4, 6, and 4 distinct species-specific nucleotides enough to distinguish Z. schinifolium, Z. bungeanum, Z. piperitum, and Z. simulans, respectively. The sequence differences were available genetic marker to discriminate four species. Futhermore, phylogenetic relationship revealed a clear classification between different Zanthoxylum species showing 4 different clusters. These results indicated that comparative analysis of ITS2 DNA barcode was an useful genetic marker to authenticate Zanthoxylum Pericarpium in species levels. Conclusions : The marker nucleotides, enough to distinguish Z. schinifolium, Z. piperitum, Z. bungeanum, and Z. simulans, were obtained at 30 SNP marker nucleotides from ITS2 sequences. These differences could be used to authenticate official Zanthoxylum Pericarpium from its adulterants as well as discriminating each four species.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to examine validity of the following guideline for Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in the Korean Pharmacopoeia regarding foreign materials: "the seeds of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium that are mixed should not exceed 20%." Methods : Varied compliance guidelines for and original plants of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium across countries were compared and contrasted. In order to do this, pharmacopoeias from a number of different countries including Korea were used as references. Results : The weights including seed parts were Z. piperitum 3.48g, Z. schinifolium 2.94g, and Z. bungeanum 2.16g; while the weights of peel parts were Z. piperitum 1.45g, Z. schinifolium 1.69g, and Z. bungeanum 0.98g. In terms of weight, Z. piperitum was the heaviest with its entire part including the seed, whereas Z. schinifolium was the heaviest with its peel part. The proportions of each seed in the whole part were Z. piperitum 58.33%, Z. schinifolium 42.52%, and Z. bungeanum 54.63%. Considering these figures, including seed parts in the guideline up to 20% is inappropriate; however, this guideline is inevitable in order to use seed parts for medicinal purpose. Conclusion : In this article, the author argues if any changes were to made on the guideline for Zanthoxyli Pericarpium with respect to foreign materials - "the seeds of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium that are mixed should not exceed 20%" - its seed part should firsthand be separated from its peel part and be designated as one kind of medicine. Then, revisions on the foreign materials compliance guidelines for Zanthoxyli Pericarpium should also be made.