Acacia arabica Willd. (BABBULA)

Babbula (A. arabica Willd.) is not found in the classical Ayurvedic literature. It is described for the first time by SoÎhala Nighantu wherein its gum is denoted as ‘Gundra’. Raja Nighantu mentioned it as ‘Barbari’ while Gadanigraha described Babbulasava and usage of Babbµula leaves in diarrhoea. Therefore it is assessed that Babbula made its entry into India during muslim rule (11-12AD).

Botanical Description – It is small tree with spines and yellow flowers. It is found in most parts of India.

Major Chemical Constituents– Arabinose & arbinobioses; (+) catechin, (-) epicatechin, βsitosterol, paulownin etc.

Part Used– Stem bark, fruit, gum, seeds

Dosage– Bark decoction 50-100 ml, fruit powder 3-6 g., gum 5-6gm.

Research–

(1) The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of plant extract exhibited toxicity to fungi comparable to that shown by condensed type tannins obtained from bark (Ind.J. Chem. 1963,1,542).

(2) Seeds exhibited hypoglycaemic effect in normal rats but were ineffective in alloxan-diabetic rats (Ind.J.physiol. Pharmacol. 1975,19,167).