Antimycobacterial Activity of the Extract and Isolated Compounds From the Stem Bark of Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. and Perr.

This study investigated the antimycobacterial activity of compounds isolated from Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. and Perr. stem bark, which is used locally in Uganda for treating tuberculosis and cough-related infections. Six compounds were isolated including lupeol, sesamin, trans-fagaramide, arnottianamide, (S)-marmesinin, and hesperidin. The extract showed moderate activity against susceptible TB strain but weak activity against multidrug resistant TB strain. Trans-fagaramide demonstrated significant antimycobacterial activity against the susceptible TB strain (MIC 6 μg/mL) and moderate activity against MDR-TB strain (MIC 12.2 μg/mL), suggesting it may serve as a vital template for developing novel TB drugs.