Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Zanthoxylum leprieurii is used medicinally across several African traditions in ways that involve teas, decoctions and macerations. Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, infusions of fresh leaves and twigs have been taken for fevers and stomach pains (Rapoport, Marzocca & Cabras, Ethnobotany of Southern Chile, 1979). In rural Tanzania, long decoctions of inner bark are commonly taken for intermittent fevers and digestive complaints such as dyspepsia and diarrhea (Burkill, The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, 1985–2000; Ruffo & Birnie, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania, 2003). In Cameroon and neighboring parts of Central Africa, bark and leaves are macerated in water or alcohol, or simmered to make bitter decoctions applied externally to wounds, ulcers and itch, and taken internally for abdominal pain and fever (Penna, Botanica Sagra, 1888; Hedberg, Medicinal Plants of East Africa, 1989).

For tincture preparation: finely chop 20 g of dried inner bark, add to 100 mL of 45% ethanol (w/v ~1:5), seal in a jar and shake daily for 14 days, then filter and store the liquid in a dark bottle. Typical internal dose is 1–2 mL taken 2–3 times daily for up to 7 days; do not exceed these amounts. Use is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation; Zanthoxylum species can contain nitidine and other benzophenanthridine alkaloids that are potentially hepatotoxic and photosensitizing. Keep out of reach of children and avoid prolonged sun exposure after use.

Active constituents reported for Z. leprieurii explain its bitter and antimicrobial profile. Bark and leaves contain benzophenanthridine alkaloids such as chelerythrine and nitidine, as well as the quaternary aporphine alkaloid magnoflorine and the volatile terpenoids limonene and α‑pinene (Etame-Loe, Ngono & Nyong, Phytochemistry of Zanthoxylum leprieurii, 2016; Kanda et al., Alkaloids from Zanthoxylum, 1998). These compounds are well-documented for this species and are consistent with the traditional uses as bitter tonics, antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory applications.

Modern relevance: limited but growing research is exploring antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities of Z. leprieurii extracts, while rural communities in East and Central Africa continue to use decoctions and macerations of bark and leaves for fevers, digestive complaints and skin infections.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Zanthoxylum stuhlmannii	Engl.	Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas , C: 227 (1895)
Fagara angolensis	Engl.	Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 23: 148 (1896)
Fagara attiensis	Hutch. & Dalziel	Fl. W. Trop. Afr. 1: 481 (1928)
Fagara beniensis	Engl.	Wiss. Erg. Deut. Zentr.-Afr. Exped., Bot. 2: 423 (1912)
Fagara kelekete	De Wild.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 13: 380 (1914)
Fagara kibomboensis	De Wild.	Pl. Bequaert. 3: 31 (1925)
Fagara leprieurii	Engl.	Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(4): 118 (1896)
Fagara nitens	(Hiern) Engl.	Veg. Erde 9(III 1): 749 (1915)
Fagara olung	Engl.	Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 46: 406 (1911)
Fagara polyacantha	Engl.	Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 23: 148 (1896)
Fagara stuhlmannii	Engl.	Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(4): 118 (1896)
Zanthoxylum nitens	Hiern	Cat. Afr. Pl. 1: 112 (1896)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	sand knobwood
Afrikaans	sandknophout
Afrikaans	sandperdepram
ve	munungu
Zulu	umnungwane

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Africa click to expand
- East Tropical Africa
  - Tanzania
  - Uganda
- Northeast Tropical Africa
  - Ethiopia
  - Sudan
- South Tropical Africa
  - Angola
  - Mozambique
- Southern Africa
  - Kwazulu-Natal
  - Northern Provinces
  - Swaziland
- West Tropical Africa
  - Benin
  - Burkina
  - Ghana
  - Guinea
  - Guinea-Bissau
  - Ivory Coast
  - Liberia
  - Mali
  - Nigeria
  - Senegal
  - Sierra Leone
- West-central Tropical Africa
  - Central African Republic
  - Congo
  - Gabon
  - Zaïre

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000429563
Tropicos	28100705
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:775820-1
The Plant List	kew-2469413
Open Tree Of Life	1030233
Observations.org	368448
NCBI Taxonomy	992815
IPNI	775820-1
iNaturalist	340183
GBIF	3837127
EPPO	ZANLE
EOL	5304313
Elurikkus	421991
Wikipedia	Zanthoxylum_leprieurii

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Preserving Ethnoveterinary Medicine (EVM) along the Transhumance Routes in Southwestern Angola: Synergies between International Cooperation and Academic Research

Solazzo D, Moretti MV, Tchamba JJ, Rafael MF, Tonini M, Fico G, Basterrecea T, Levi S, Marini L, Bruschi P

Plants (Basel)

28-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10933900
doi:	10.3390/plants13050670
PMID:	38475516

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal tree species used in the treatment of diseases by forest-fringe communities of Southwestern Ghana

Asigbaase M, Adusu D, Musah AA, Anaba L, Nsor CA, Abugre S, Derkyi M

Heliyon

14-Dec-2023

PMCID:	PMC10788458
doi:	10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23645
PMID:	38226220

Furoquinoline Alkaloids: Insights into Chemistry, Occurrence, and Biological Properties

Szewczyk A, Pęczek F

Int J Mol Sci

15-Aug-2023

PMCID:	PMC10454094
doi:	10.3390/ijms241612811
PMID:	37628986

Chemical Constituents from the Roots of Angelica reflexa That Improve Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion by Regulating Pancreatic β-Cell Metabolism

Kim HS, Lee D, Seo YH, Ryu SM, Lee AY, Moon BC, Kim WJ, Kang KS, Lee J

Pharmaceutics

13-Apr-2023

PMCID:	PMC10146581
doi:	10.3390/pharmaceutics15041239
PMID:	37111724

Antimycobacterial Activity of Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (Malvaceae) Seed Extract

Lewtak K, Czaplewska P, Wydrych J, Keller R, Nowicka A, Skrzypiec K, Fiołka MJ

Cells

22-Jan-2023

PMCID:	PMC9913413
doi:	10.3390/cells12030397
PMID:	36766739

Chronic Gastric Ulcer Healing Actions of the Aqueous Extracts of Staple Plant Foods of the North-West, Adamawa, and West Regions of Cameroon

Mikwangock HD, Tamfu AN, Amang AP, Siwe GT, Mezui C, Kucukaydin S, Enow-Orock EG, Tan PV

Biomed Res Int

09-Jan-2023

PMCID:	PMC9842419
doi:	10.1155/2023/2657278
PMID:	36654868

Ameliorative Sexual Behavior and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitory Effects of Spondias mangifera Fruit Extract in Rodents: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Study

Khalid M, Alqarni MH, Wahab S, Annadurai S, Alamri MA, Foudah AI, Aljarba TM, Akhtar J, Badruddeen, Ahmad S

J Clin Med

28-Jun-2022

PMCID:	PMC9267661
doi:	10.3390/jcm11133732
PMID:	35807028

In vitro antimycobacterial activity of medicinal plants Lantana camara, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, and Zanthoxylum leprieurii

Tuyiringire N, Taremwa Mugisha I, Tusubira D, Munyampundu JP, Mambo Muvunyi C, Vander Heyden Y

J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis

03-Mar-2022

PMCID:	PMC8904236
doi:	10.1016/j.jctube.2022.100307
PMID:	35284659

Phytochemical screening, antimycobacterial activity and acute toxicity of crude extracts of selected medicinal plant species used locally in the treatment of tuberculosis in Uganda

Oloya B, Namukobe J, Ssengooba W, Afayoa M, Byamukama R

Trop Med Health

17-Feb-2022

PMCID:	PMC8851836
doi:	10.1186/s41182-022-00406-7
PMID:	35177126

Wandering through southwestern Nigeria: An inventory of Yoruba useful angiosperm plants

Ajao AA, Mukaila YO, Sabiu S

Heliyon

25-Dec-2021

PMCID:	PMC8733184
doi:	10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08668
PMID:	35024488

Cameroonian Spice Extracts Modulate Molecular Mechanisms Relevant to Cardiometabolic Diseases in SW 872 Human Liposarcoma Cells

Atchan Nwakiban AP, Passarelli A, Da Dalt L, Olivieri C, Demirci TN, Piazza S, Sangiovanni E, Carpentier-Maguire E, Martinelli G, Shivashankara ST, Manjappara UV, Tchamgoue AD, Agbor GA, Kuiate JR, Daglia M, Dell’Agli M, Magni P

Nutrients

26-Nov-2021

PMCID:	PMC8706885
doi:	10.3390/nu13124271
PMID:	34959824

Ethnobotanical plants used in the management of symptoms of tuberculosis in rural Uganda

Oryema C, Rutaro K, Oyet SW, Malinga GM

Trop Med Health

22-Nov-2021

PMCID:	PMC8607616
doi:	10.1186/s41182-021-00384-2
PMID:	34809718

Traditional Medicinal Plants as a Source of Antituberculosis Drugs: A System Review

Xu Y, Liang B, Kong C, Sun Z

Biomed Res Int

08-Sep-2021

PMCID:	PMC8448615
doi:	10.1155/2021/9910365
PMID:	34541000

Natural-Product-Based Solutions for Tropical Infectious Diseases

Adegboye O, Field MA, Kupz A, Pai S, Sharma D, Smout MJ, Wangchuk P, Wong Y, Loiseau C

Clin Microbiol Rev

08-Sep-2021

PMCID:	PMC8673330
doi:	10.1128/CMR.00348-20
PMID:	34494873

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats

Acheampong DO, Baffour IK, Atsu Barku VY, Addo JK, Essuman MA, Boye A

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

21-Jul-2021

PMCID:	PMC8337135
doi:	10.1155/2021/3804379
PMID:	34367300

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Benzophenanthridine alkaloids / Dihydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloids
(13R)-1,2,13-trimethoxy-12-methyl-13H-[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6-c]phenanthridine	92144424	Click to see	379.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
(13S)-1,2,13-trimethoxy-12-methyl-13H-[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6-c]phenanthridine	92144425	Click to see CN1C(C2=C(C=CC(=C2OC)OC)C3=C1C4=CC5=C(C=C4C=C3)OCO5)OC	379.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.1966.TB07973.X
12,13-Dihydro-1,2,13-trimethoxy-12-methyl(1,3)benzodioxolo(5,6-c)phenanthridine	189060	Click to see	379.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040 https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.1966.TB07973.X
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Benzophenanthridine alkaloids / Secobenzophenanthridine alkaloids
N-[6-(4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)benzo[f][1,3]benzodioxol-5-yl]-N-methylformamide	162864980	Click to see	381.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Turraeanthin A	16079974	Click to see	381.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
Protocatechuic Acid	72	Click to see	154.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5173(89)90326-8
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives
Syringic Acid	10742	Click to see	198.17	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5173(89)90326-8
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
Vanillic Acid	8468	Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O	168.15	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5173(89)90326-8
> Benzenoids / Phenols / 1-hydroxy-2-unsubstituted benzenoids
N-(4-Hydroxyphenethyl)Tetracosanamide	13888179	Click to see	487.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]docosanamide	71354089	Click to see	459.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans
Episesamin	5204	Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6	354.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Sesamin	72307	Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6	354.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
beta-OCIMENE, (3E)-	5281553	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040411
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
3-Carene	26049	Click to see CC1=CCC2C(C1)C2(C)C	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040411
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
Terpinolene	11463	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040411
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
beta-Sitosterol palmitate	13747834	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C	653.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000481
beta-Sitosteryl palmitate	9852570	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C	653.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000481
Lup-20(29)-en-3-ol, (3beta)-	521518	Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Lupeol	259846	Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Acridines / Acridones
1-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methylacridone	5377412	Click to see CN1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)C3=C1C=C(C=C3O)OC	255.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A057 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
1,2-Dihydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone	132277135	Click to see CN1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C31)OC)O)O	271.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
1,3-Dihydroxy-2-methoxy-10-methylacridin-9(10H)-one	91739029	Click to see	271.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
3-Hydroxy-1,2-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9-one	46845028	Click to see	285.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
3-Hydroxy-1,4-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9-one	46887583	Click to see	285.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
4-Hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9-one	163013060	Click to see CN1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C31)O)OC)OC	285.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)80486-8 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97418-1
9(10H)-Acridinone, 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methyl-	83189	Click to see	255.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97418-1 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)80486-8
Arborinine	5281832	Click to see CN1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C31)OC)OC)O	285.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A057 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Tegerrardin A	16220278	Click to see	255.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Xanthoxoline	5376586	Click to see	271.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A057
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives
Decarine	179640	Click to see COC1=C(C=CC2=C3C=CC4=CC5=C(C=C4C3=NC=C21)OCO5)O	319.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines
Skimmianine	6760	Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC	259.26	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000481
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives
Scoparone	8417	Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C=CC(=O)O2)OC	206.19	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A057
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
(2S)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one	162875750	Click to see	610.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040
Hesperetin-7-Rutinoside	3594	Click to see	610.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMC.2010.03.040

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Zanthoxylum leprieurii

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top