RECENT PERCEPTION OF THE ETHNOMEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF ACACIA ATAXACANTHA (DC) ITS PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY: A REVIEW.

The parts of Acacia ataxacantha has been used against digestive system disorders, chest ailments infestations, sickle cell anemia, tooth decay, bronchitis, cough and joint pain particularly infectious diseases. The literatures relevant to A. ataxacantha and its traditional uses were collected by searching the major scientific databases and other Botanical/ plant databases and Google Scholar.  Many publications’ sites were queried and dissertation search engines were put to use. The review shows only five compounds; lupeol, betulinic acid, betulinic acid-3-trans-caffeate, acthaside and α-amyrenol have been isolated so far from plant. Chemical constituents isolated from parts of A. ataxacantha and its extracts show some pharmacological activities which includes antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, nephroprotective, antiulcer and laxative properties. These activities are superficial, as many of the models employed are one-sided (either in-silico, in-vitro or in-vivo are used). The extract of this plant is accounted safe as the studies reveals. A. ataxacantha is a non-nodulating species of Acacia and its importance to bee-keeping is of great concern. The present review summarizes information concerning the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, toxicological and agricultural importance of A. ataxacantha . This review tends to gather studies till date on this plant, so as to suggest more planned and cumulative pharmacological studies should be carried out, well lay-out clinical tests to give its upmost advantages to research and also the phytochemistry of this plant is yet to be explored.