The potential nutritive value was studied on leaves of seven fodder trees in Central Sudan during dry season at two distinct periods, the early dry and the late. The chemical composition, mineral concentration, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in situ OM or nitrogen degradability and estimated metabolizable energy showed a wide variation among fodder tree species and between different periods of the dry season. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 285 to 197 g/kg DM at early dry season, with a significant reduction in late dry season. Ziziphus spina-christi and Balanites aegyptiaca showed the least reduction in CP content. The NDF, ADF and lignin were about 200, 160 and 19 g/kg DM, respectively at the early period, and significantly increased at the late period of the dry season, except for lignin of Z. spina-christi. For mineral concentration, all fodder tree leaves were rich in calcium but poor in phosphorus. In situ OM degradability significantly decreased at the late period of dry season, but values remained as high as over 600 g/kg OM. At both periods, Z. spina-christi showed the highest value, while the lowest was recorded in Acacia seyal. The IVOMD showed a similar trend to those of in situ OM degradability, except for A. seyal. The nitrogen degradability was highest in B. aegyptiaca and lowest in Z. spina-christi at both periods. A significant and positive correlation had existed between CP and IVOMD or in situ OM degradability (r=0.68, p<0.05; r=0.77, p<0.05, respectively). Also, a significant but negative correlation was found between condensed tannins and nitrogen degradability (r=-0.87, p<0.01). Results demonstrated that Z. spina-christi potentially has a good nutritive value as dry season feed or supplement, while A. seyal tends to be less promising. A. nubica and B. aegyptiaca may be a useful source for degradable protein, even though it may have a limited supply of energy to animals. A. tortilis, A. mellifera and A. ehrenbergiana may have potential value for a supplementation of energy or protein, if they were harvested in the early dry season or in wet season as preserved feed. It is highly recommended to supplement with an appropriate amount of phosphorus when these fodder trees were used.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum to albino rats. Forty eight Albino rats were employed to test the safety and the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Safety of the extract was examined on experimental animal's model at three dose levels of the extract orally in daily doses for three weeks. Effects of S. aromaticum on rats revealed no significant effect on biochemical or haematological parameters. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was tested in four equal groups; groups 1 and 2 were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, group 3 was treated with indomethacine and group 4 was the untreated control. Carrageenan was used as an acute form inducer of inflammation. Indomethacine, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), was used as a reference compound. Oedema size was monitored at the 1 st , 2 nd , 4 th , 6 th and after 24 hours. The ethanolic extract of S. aromaticum showed significant (P < 0.001) decreased in the oedema size at efficacy rates of 79.41%, 82.39% and 63.92% for the dose, 500 mg/kg body weight at the 2 nd , 4 th and 6 th hour respectively higher than that produced by indomethacine.

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