Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Faidherbia albida

Haraz tree (Faidherbia albida) is used in traditional medicine to treat some disorders such as inflammation, skin infections and kidney problems. In this study the ethanolic extracts F. albida fruits and stem bark were evaluated for their antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Ethanolic extracts were prepared and the phytoconstituents of the fruits and stem bark extracts were investigated. The antioxidant activities of both extracts were measured using 1,1- diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity was used to evaluate the activities of extracts. Thirty five albino rats were divided randomly into seven groups of five rats each; control group, CCl4 intoxicated group, hepatoprotective standard drug, F. albida low and high doses of fruit extracts groups. F. albida stem bark low and high doses of the extract. F. albida fruits and stem bark extracts were administered orally at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w daily for 5 days. The hepatotoxicity was induced by injection of CCl4 in olive oil (1:1) at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg b.w interaperitoneally in the 2nd and 3rd day of extracts adminstration.