Content and Antidepressant Effects of Total Flavonoids from Zanthoxylum Pericarpium Residue

[Objectives]To study the content and antidepressant effects of the flavonoids in the Zanthoxylum Pericarpium Residue(ZPR)and to provide a basis for the full utilization of ZPR.[Methods]The method for the assay of total flavonoids in ZPR by UV spectrophotometry was developed with rutin as reference.The total flavonoids were extracted and separated from ZPR.The contents of total flavonoids were quantified in ZPR and its extract.The autonomous activity test,tail suspension test and forced swimming test were conducted in mice,and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidation were detected to evaluate the antidepressant effects of total flavonoids.[Results]The recovery rate of UV spectrophotometry was 98.88%(n=6).The contents of flavonoids in ZPR and its extract were 11.07%and 78.42%,respectively.In the autonomous activity test,compared with the control group,the standing times of mice in the positive drug group was significantly increased(P<0.05),but there was not significant difference among the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids extract(P>0.05),as well as there was no significant difference of the activity times among all groups(P>0.05).In the tail suspension and forced swimming tests,compared with the control group,the immobility time of the high-dose group of total flavonoids extract was significantly reduced(P>0.05),and the serum SOD levels of the low-,medium-and high-dose groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).The MDA levels of the middle-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the total antioxidant capacity was increased significantly(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The developed UV spectrophotometry can accurately detect the level of total flavonoids in ZPR.ZPR is rich in flavonoids,and has significant antidepressant effects,which may be related to eliminating internal free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.