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This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Acacia nilotica (Babul) is a widely distributed tree used in traditional medicine for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital ailments [PMID:39770900]. It is utilized in various forms, including gums, extracts, and pastes, for both therapeutic and industrial applications [PMID:26994888, PMID:39770900].
Background
Acacia nilotica, also known as Babul or Vachellia nilotica, is a member of the Fabaceae family found in India, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Egypt [PMID:35672366, PMID:39770900]. Various parts of the plant, including the root, bark, leaves, flowers, gum, and pods, are used for medicinal, fodder, and dyeing purposes [PMID:35672366].
Traditional uses
It has been used for thousands of years to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital ailments, and serves as an emollient and antidiarrheal [PMID:39770900].
Active compounds
Active components include pyrogallol (a polyphenolic component) [PMID:32524386], betulin (Lupan-3β,28-diol) isolated from the bark [PMID:35672366], and hydrolyzable tannins found in leaves and pods [PMID:31192352]. The gum contains polysaccharides such as arabinose, galactose, and rhamnose [PMID:28390831].
Mechanism of action
Pyrogallol from A. nilotica influences gene expression and interferes with mitochondrial function [PMID:32524386].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BOmphalocele Major
Acacia nilotica paste was used as a primary non-surgical treatment (escharotics therapy) in a comparative study against povidone iodine [PMID:36189534]
Evidence CPeriodontitis
Babul is reported as one of the herbs used in the treatment of periodontitis [PMID:38290997]
Evidence CSkin Aging/UVR Protection
Phyto-extracts of A. nilotica loaded in creams may serve as cosmeceuticals to protect skin against the injurious effects of UV radiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) [PMID:26448818]
Babul extract demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against E-faecalis, S. aureus, and C. albicans in an in vitro study [PMID:34810393]
Safety & adverse effects
A. nilotica is reported to have low toxicity [PMID:39770900]. In rat studies, diets of 8% acacia for 4 weeks caused significant reductions in body weight, hemoglobin, serum total protein, and total cholesterol, though these effects were reversed one week after termination [PMID:10794124].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and narrative reviews. There is limited clinical trial data (one RCT for omphalocele), suggesting a low to moderate overall strength of clinical evidence for human therapeutic use.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 26448818 (2015) — Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell Longetivity. · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2.PMID: 38290997 (2024) — Phytotherapy in periodontics as an effective and sustainable supplemental treatment: a narrative review. · Journal of periodontal & implant science
3.PMID: 29743936 (2018) — Clarifying the origin of Houzao. · Chinese medicine
4.PMID: 34810393 (2021) — Antimicrobial efficacy of acacia Nilotica (Babul) extract and its effectiveness in disinfecting gutta percha cones - An in vitro study. · Indian journal of dental research : official publication of Indian Society for Dental Research
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
— Effect of Calcium Chloride on Release Behavior of Babul (Acacia nilotica) gum Microbeads.
· Polimery w medycynie
6.PMID: 41161438 (2025) — Comparative analysis of babul, guar, and ghatti gum-nanofilms reinforced with areca leaf sheath nanocellulose for food packaging applications. · International journal of biological macromolecules
7.PMID: 28390831 (2017) — Comparative study of Acacia nilotica exudate gum and acacia gum. · International journal of biological macromolecules
8.PMID: 28119891 (2016) — Acacia Nilotica: New Plant for Help in Pelvic Organ Prolapse. · Journal of menopausal medicine
9.PMID: 39770900 (2024) — The Acacia (Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb.): Traditional Uses and Recent Advances on Its Pharmacological Attributes and Potential Activities. · Nutrients
10.PMID: 40527374 (2025) — Synthesis of eggshells-based hydroxyapatite/Acacia nilotica gum-based polymer composite for biomedical applications. · International journal of biological macromolecules
11.PMID: 32524386 (2020) — Inhibition of suicidal erythrocyte death by pyrogallol. · Molecular biology reports
12.PMID: 35672366 (2022) — Isolation, characterization and biological activities of betulin from Acacia nilotica bark. · Scientific reports
13.PMID: 29621196 (2018) — Tannins from Acacia mearnsii De Wild. Bark: Tannin Determination and Biological Activities. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 31192352 (2019) — Methanogenic potential of tropical feeds rich in hydrolyzable tannins1,2. · Journal of animal science
15.PMID: 37375903 (2023) — Atrazine Toxicity: The Possible Role of Natural Products for Effective Treatment. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 28917858 (2017) — A structural study of Acacia nilotica and Acacia modesta gums. · Carbohydrate polymers
17.PMID: 23119600 (1999) — An unusual foreign body in oesophagus. · Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India
18.PMID: 32206055 (2020) — Formulation and evaluation of microsphere of antiulcer drug using Acacia nilotica gum. · International journal of health sciences
19.PMID: 10794124 (2000) — A study on the toxicology of Acacia nilotica. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
20.PMID: 28096612 (2016) — Effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pod meal on hematobiochemical profile and fecal egg count in goats. · Veterinary world
21.PMID: 30008135 (2018) — Review on medicinal plants and natural compounds as anti-Onchocerca agents. · Parasitology research
22.PMID: 37089397 (2023) — Essential oils from Acacia nilotica (Fabales: Fabaceae) seeds: May have insecticidal effects? · Heliyon
23.PMID: 36189534 (2022) — Comparative Study between Acacia Nilotica versus Povidone Iodine in Topical Treatment of Omphalocele Major. · Mymensingh medical journal : MMJ
24.PMID: 39550385 (2024) — Biological control of nosemosis in Apis mellifera L. with Acacia nilotica extract. · Scientific reports
25.PMID: 34596780 (2021) — Characterization and low-cost preservation of Chromobacterium violaceum strain TRFM-24 isolated from Tripura state, India. · Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology
26.PMID: 37439007 (2023) — Medicinal plant molecules against hepatitis C virus: Current status and future prospect. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
27.PMID: 36016534 (2022) — Acacia nilotica leaf meal - potential supplement to 25% dorper crosses of local sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture hay. · Heliyon
28.PMID: 27486360 (2015) — Toxicological studies of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica root. · Interdisciplinary toxicology
29.PMID: 38773358 (2024) — Exploring the mechanism of transformation in Acacia nilotica (Linn.) triggered by colchicine seed treatment. · BMC plant biology
30.PMID: 36634650 (2023) — The effect of Acacia nilotica bark extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune response, and intestinal morphology in broilers as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter. · Animal bioscience