Zanthalene® - a cure-all for itching and inflammation
Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZB) is a species of the genus Zanthoxylum, widely distributed in Asian countries. ZB fruits are the most popular commercial product of the genus Zanthoxylum and are widely used both as a condiment in cooking and in medicine. ZB in fact has a long history of use in China as an anti-itch agent and for the treatment of diseases related to vulvar itching (1).
Zanthalene® is a mixture of active ingredients obtained from the ZB plant (Sichuan pepper or false pepper). It is a mixture containing 5% of lipophilic Alkylamides including alpha-hydroxy-sanshool (Hydroxy-alpha sanshool) (2), which have powerful soothing, antipruritic and anti-irritation activities.
The anti-itch activity of Zanthalene® has been demonstrated by several studies such as a 2000 study conducted on 40 volunteers subjected to at least 3 mosquito bites on the arm. 67.5% of them, after applying a spray lotion containing the active ingredient, experienced a decrease in itching (3). In accordance with the traditional use of ZB, some studies have shown that the substances extracted from these plants have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects both in vitro and in vivo.
A very recent study (4), carried out in 2021, investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of ZB extract, showing how it is able to inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines. Treatment with ZB also significantly reduced oxidative stress, as indicated by the reduction of intracellular levels of oxidant substances and the increase of endogenous antioxidants SOD and GSH (4).
These results are confirmed by other studies which have shown that compounds isolated from the pericarp of ZB have shown significant anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of nitric oxide (NO) production (1).
Substances contained in ZB extracts show significant potential for wound treatment by accelerating collagen synthesis and reducing the anti-inflammatory cascade. A study (5) conducted on animal models evaluated the efficacy of ZB extracts on burn wounds. It was noted that, also in this case, ZB reduced the levels of the inflammatory substances TNF-α and IL-6, with a dose-dependent effect and inhibited the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway (5).
In conclusion, these data suggest that topical treatment with ZB, containing the active ingredient Zanthalene®, in addition to having antipruritic effects, has anti-inflammatory effects, especially when administered topically.
References
1) Zhang M, Wang J, Zhu L, Li T, Jiang W, Zhou J, Peng W, Wu C. Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae): A Systematic Review of Its Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicology. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Oct 18;18(10):2172.
2) Artaria C, Maramaldi G, Bonfigli A, Rigano L, Appendino G. Lifting properties of the alkamide fraction from the fruit husks of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2011 Aug;33(4):328-33.
3) Indena, data on file. - 5. US Patent 6,419,950 B2; EP 1096944
4) Hou J, Wang J, Meng J, Zhang κB Signaling Pathway. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Sep 24;2021:2073296.
5) Li XQ, Kang R, Huo JC, Xie YH, Wang SW, Cao W. Wound-healing Activity of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim Seed Oil on Experimentally Burned Rats. Pharmacogn Mag. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(51):363-371.