*Corresponding author: OHOUKO Okri Fréjus Hans Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances (URMAPha), Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology (LARBA), University of Abomey Calavi, 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin ISSN: 0976-3031 Research Article PHYTOCHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES OF ACACIA NILOTICA AND FAIDHERBIA ALBIDA USED IN WEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OHOUKO Okri Fréjus Hans 1,2 , KOUDOUVO Koffi 2 , NOVIDZRO Kosi Mawuéna 3 , DOUGNON Tamègnon Victorien 1 , AGBONON Amegnona 2 , TOZO Koffi Sodokè 4 , DOUGNON Tossou Jacques 1 and GBEASSOR Messanvi 2 1 Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances (URMAPha), Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology (LARBA), University of Abomey Calavi, 01 PO Box 2009 Cotonou, Benin 2 Centre of Training and Research in Medicinal Plant (CERFOPLAM), Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances, Faculty of Science, University of Lome, 01 PO Box 1515 Lome, Togo 3 Laboratory of Genius of Proceeded and Research on Natural Essence (LAGEPREN) Faculty of Science, University of Lome, 01 PO Box 1515 Lome, Togo 4 Laboratory of Vegetable Ecology and Applied Biotechnology, Department of Botany and Vegetable Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Lome, 01 PO Box 1515 Lome, Togo DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1106.5401 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT The genus “Acacia” of Leguminoseae-Mimosoideae familyis constituted with a significant economic species because of their multiple virtues. The present study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and toxicity of Acacia nilotica and Faidherbia albida, two Leguminoseae-Mimosoideae used in Animal Ethnomedicine of Benin, Niger and Togo. Fruits of Acacia nilotica; leaves, fruits and stem bark of Faidherbia albida were used for the study. The phytochemical results revealed the presence of alkaloids, gallic tannins, flavonoids, quinones and free heterosides in fruits of Acacia nilotica. For Faidherbia albida, gallic tannins, coumarins, leucoanthocyanes, mucilage and saponins were found in the three parts of the plant, anthocyanins only in leaves and stem bark, reducing compound and flavonoids in stem bark. The aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the three parts of the plants have not presented toxicity on Artemia salina larvae. The Letal concentration 50% (LC50) obtained consequently, varies from 0.34 mg/ml for the aqueous extract of leaves of Faidherbia albida to 1.31 mg/ml for the hydroethanolic extract of fruits of the same plant. Further studies are underway to fractionate using a bio-guided assay and in animal models, to identify active components. INTRODUCTION West African population make recourse to the traditional medicine at the rate of more than 80% for curing human and animal diseases[1]. A diversity of medicinal plants is usually requested for this purpose [2, 3]. Among these plants, the genus Acacia of Leguminoseae- Mimosoideae family, commonly called “thorn tree” in Africa, constitutes a significant economic plant as a source of tannins, gums, timber, fuel, fodder and medicine [4]. Acacia nilotica and Faidherbia albida (syn.: Acacia albida) are two plants of the same genus having multiple pharmacological properties for which they are used in traditional medicine. In human health, Acacia nilotica is used to treat many health problems such as bronchitis, thoracic pains, cold, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, the hemorrhages, leprosy, ocular disorders, tooth rage and pneumonia [5]. Syphilis, oral candida, fungus infections of the skin, malaria and the tooth rage are also some diseases managed by the plant [6-10]. Other properties as antiviral [11- 14], antibacterial [7, 15] and pesticides [16, 17] have been noted of the plant in recent studies. Faidherbia albida specie is used in traditional medicine for its medicinal virtues [18]. Antimalarial, antimicrobial antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhea activities of the stem bark of Faidherbia albida were observed [20-22]. Moreover, anti-trypanosoma activities of aqueous extract of Faidherbia albida stem bark against Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of Recent Scientific Research International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 06 (B), pp. 38906-38910, June, 2020 Copyright © OHOUKO Okri Fréjus Hans et al, 2020, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Article History: Received 10 th March, 2020 Received in revised form 2 nd April, 2020 Accepted 26 th May, 2020 Published online 28 th June, 2020 Key Words: Acacia nilotica, Faidherbia albida, phytochemistry, toxicity, biodiversity conservation