Zanthoxylum species are involved in traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria. This study aims to map the research landscape and identify
networks of researchers working on the Zanthoxylum genus and malaria 2004 to 2023. The literature review was conducted utilizing a variety of
databases, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Dimensions. VOSviewer software version 1.16.20 was used for network mapping and an
Excel 2019 spreadsheet for descriptive statistical analysis of the retrieved data. Zanthoxylum species identified as highly effective against Plasmodium falciparum were 12. The network of countries that participated in the research around Zanthoxylum species was about 28 countries, with Kenya receiving the most citations (41 total link strength), followed by France and the United State.
The most used parts of the species are stem bark followed by root bark with respective values of 57% and 29%. The most commonly used solvent for extraction is methanol and then dichloromethane. The Plasmodium strains tested are about 9 with the D6 strain (32%) the most tested followed by the W2 strain (26%). The aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides root bark was the most effective against P. falciparum strain 3D7 and the dichloromethane/methanol extract of Z. holstzianum stem and root bark was most effective on the D6 and W2 strains. Fagaronine and nitidine are the most remarkable antiplasmodial compounds. Strengthening the network of researchers, especially in Africa, in the field of research related to Zanthoxylum species and especially on Z. zanthoxyloides and Z. holstzianum could open up better perspectives on promising molecules against Plasmodium strains.

Zanthoxylum species, network of researchers, stem bark, root bark, Plasmodium strains, antiplasmodial compound,