Antioxidant Potential of Faidherbia albida Leaf Extracts: In vitro and in vivo Studies in Albino Rats

Background and Objective: Oxidative stress, resulting from the accumulation of free radicals, can cause cellular damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Certain medicinal plants exhibit potent antioxidant activity, potentially shielding cells from oxidative harm. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of Faidherbia albida (F. albida) leaf extracts, including methanol extract and n-hexane fraction, in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening was conducted to determine the bioactive constituents of the methanol extract and n-hexane fraction. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while in vivo antioxidant effects were evaluated in albino rats by measuring ALT, AST, ALP, Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and vitamins A, C, and E. Results: Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, and tannins in the extracts, while anthraquinones were absent. Flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were present in the methanolic extract but absent in the n-hexane fraction. In vitro analysis showed a dose-dependent increase in FRAP for vitamin E, whereas the n-hexane fraction exhibited comparable reducing power across concentrations of 5-15 mg/mL. In vivo assessments showed significant reductions in ALT, AST, and ALP activities in extract-treated and positive control groups compared with the negative control. Conversely, CAT and SOD activities increased significantly in treated groups. Vitamins A, C, and E levels also increased notably in the treated groups. Conclusion: The findings support the antioxidant potential of F. albida leaf extracts and provide evidence for its traditional use in folklore medicine. The extracts may represent a potential source of natural antioxidants and warrant further investigation for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.