Acacia sieberiana var. Woodii () is traditionally used as a for stomach and ulcers among some localities in Northern .
The plant was investigated sequel to the reports of its ethnomedicine uses in the management of stomach ache and ulcers. Anatomical and physical constants studies were carried out using standard procedures.
(preliminary studies, thin layer and column chromatography) were also carried out on the hexane and methanol extracts.
Toxicity and antibacterial studies of the hexane and methanol extracts, and the isolated compound were investigated.
The microscopical studies revealed the presence of cellulose cell wall, lignified and suberized cell walls, tannins and calcium crystals.
Anatomical features identified in the stem bark consist of epidermis, phellogen, phelloderm, and cortex. The percentage moisture content and ash values were observed to be 9.0% and 10.5% respectively.
Water extractive value was 1.2% while ethanol extractive value was 1.6%.The preliminary phytochemical studies as well as the TLC chromatogram of the hexane extract revealed the presence of steroids and triterpenes while the methanol extract contains tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes.
Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Traditional medicine can be said to be a comprehensive knowledge system that encompasses the utilization of substances, dosages and practices based on socio-cultural norms and religious beliefs as well as witnessed experiences and observations of a specific group (Tom et al., 2008).
The practice is used in various therapies by the indigenous population all over the world.
It has been documented that about 80% of the people in developing countries rely on traditional medicines for their primary health care need, which can be attributed to increased poverty,
ignorance as well as unavailability of modern health facilities (Omonike, 2010; Christiana et al., 2012).
Plants in Traditional Medicine
Plant based traditional remedies are the oldest forms of health care delivery known to mankind and it has been used in all cultures throughout history.
Plants have been used as early as 5000-4000BC in different parts of the world for the treatment of various ailments (Nyananyo and Akada, 2011; Kunle et al., 2012).
A vast knowledge on how to use these plants against diseases may be expected to have accumulated in areas where the use of these plants is of great importance.
The knowledge of these plants was developed gradually as it passed from generation to generation and has laid foundation of many health care systems all over the world (Azmatullah et al., 2011; Kunle et al., 2012).
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