Acacia polyacantha belong to the family: fabaceae, Sub- specie campylacantha, (Mulofwa et al., 1994). called ‘karo’ in Hausa other common names include Acacia catechu, African catechu, African cutch, Chikwiku, Clutch tree, Confectioners gum, Ede, Egirigiryoi, Falcons claw acacia, Farichin haramata, Farichin shafu, Fatarlahi, Ghambwe, Gomanchein, Gorpila, Gourga, Hook thorn, Karkara, Karki, Kayar rakumi, Kibere, Kumbarshafo, Mubaimondora, Mugu, Mukoka, Mukongoliko, Ngobe, Odurakot, Shanab, Umpumpu, White thorn. Acacia iis called gum arabic tree (Bolza, Keating, 1972).
Ecology
Acacia polyacantha is widespread all over Africa. Its presence may show ground water but the tree can grow in poor soil in dry savannah, (Mulofwa et al., 1994). It is a deciduous tree up to 20m tall, feathery foliage giving an open, light canopy. The bark is grey-brown with scales or knots, old trees are deeply grooved Thorns are small hooks and its tips is black. Leaves are feathery, as leaflets each one small and narrow, stalk hairs (Richard, 1990) with Flowers are in large cream- white spikes numbering 2-3. Fruits are dark brown pods, tip pointed, flat and smooth to about 18cm long, explode to set free 6-8 flat, round seeds (June – September). The tree can be propagated by seedling, wildings and direct seeding (Schmidt et al., 2002).
Uses
The plant Acacia polyacantha is reported to be used in the treatment of snake bites, premature ejaculation, rabies, typhoid, haemarroid and as a repellent (Richard, 1990). The pods of Acacia ployacantha are used for conjunctivitis. The powdered pods and leaves make an excellent infused tea (2-4 ounces of the standard infusion every three hours) for diarrhea and dysentery, as well as a strongly astringent haemostatic and anti microbial wash, the powder can be dusted onto moist, chafed body folds and dusted on infants for diaper rash, the flowers and leaves as a simple tea are good anti inflammatory agent for the stomach and esophagus in nausea, vomiting, and hangovers. It is distinctly sedative. The root is also used as tea and is good for sore throat and mouth inflammations as well as for dry raspy coughing (Schmidt et al., 2002).
It industrial uses which include; dying, tanning, gum that is normally used in confectionery and as adhensive (Valiatha, 1998) as well as paints and perfume. Firewood, timber, farm-tools, and land improvement (soil reclamation, nitrogen fixing) (Venter and Venter, 1996).
Food uses: Acacia seeds are used in spices, curries, omellettes and stir fries. Honey made by bees using Acacia flower as forage is considered a delicacy, chewing gum. Ornamentals in gardens, (Seggiano, 2008). Finally Acacia polyacantha is used to bath children who are restless at night (Venter and Venter, 1996).
Hypothesis
Acacia polyacantha could be used to enhance sexual performance, serum testosterone, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology.
Objective of the study.
The following are specific objectives of the study.
i. To carry out preliminary Phytochemical screening of the stem bark of Acacia polyacantha.
ii. To carry out acute oral toxicity study on Acacia polyacantha extract in this environment and to determine the lethal dose (LD50).
iii. To determine the effect of the plant extract on mounting frequency.
iv. To investigate the effect of the plant extract on sperm count, sperm motility, and sp
erm morphology of Wistar rats.
v. To investigate the effect of the plant extract on serum testosterone of Wistar rats.
vi. And to investigate the effect of the plant extract on histology of the testes.
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