Anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal properties of Faidherbia albida in rats

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 antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal effects and thus pharmacologically justifies its folkloric
use in the management of fever, rheumatic inflammatory conditions and diarrhoea.