Anthelmintic properties of alpha-sanshool from Zanthoxylum liebmannianum

The decoction of the stem bark of Zanthoxylum liebmannianum (Engelm.) P. Wilson (Rutaceae) decreased the count of intestinal nematode eggs in naturally infected sheep. In addition, the chloroformic extract was toxic to Ascaris suum. Fractionation of the organic extract guided by the Ascaris suum lethality test led to the isolation of alpha-sanshool (LC50 = 83.4 x 10(-5)M) as the only active compound. On the other hand, alpha-sanshool induced tonic-clonic seizures when it was injected intraperitoneally to mice. This finding could be a warning regarding the potential toxicity of this plant.