Abstract

Faidherbia albida Del. (local name: Gawo) is employed traditionally to treat disorders such as fever, diarrhoea, urticaria, vomiting, cough, rheumatism and heamorrhage. The present study was carried out to scientifically appraise some of the folkloric uses of the plant. The crude aqueous extract was studied for acute toxicity, its anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal effects using yeast-induced pyrexia, kaolin-induced oedema and castor oil-induced diarrhoeal models in rats. The extract was not lethal to the rats dosed at 5000 mg/kg body weight. At a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, it significantly (P < 0.05) decreased yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. At doses of 250 and 500 mg extract/kg body weight, the extract significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited kaolin-induced acute inflammation and reduced frequency of diarrhea in the rats. These results indicate that aqueous extract of F. albida possesses potent anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal effects and thus pharmacologically justifies its folkloric use in the management of fever, rheumatic inflammatory conditions and diarrhoea.

Key words: Faidherbia albida, aqueous extract, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti diarrhoeal.