Preliminary Phytochemical, Nutritional and Toxicological Studies of Leaves and Stems of Hyptis suaveolens

Phytochemical and Proximate analysis of leaves and stems of Hyptis suaveolens was carried out. Phytochemical analysis of leaves and stems showed that the plant is rich in Phytochemicals. Leaves had flavonoids 1.90±0.14%, Alkaloids 2.80±0.28%, Tannins 5.50±0.074%, Saponins 6.10±0.42%, while stems had Flavonoids 0.30±0.14%, Alkaloids 1.60±0.00%, Tannins 0.23±0.07%, Saponins 10.50±0.79%. Cyanogenic glycoside contents were found to be 44.18±1.39 mg 100 g1 for leaves and 52.04±1.39 mg 100 g1 for stems. Proximate analysis of leaves gave protein 10.24±0.01%, fat 2.0±0.0%, Fibre 5.63±0.53%, Ash 11.40±0.57% and carbohydrates 55.72±0.64%, while proximate analysis of stem gave protein 8.75±0.00%, Fat 2.0±0.0, Fibre 17.35±1.63%, Ash 9.58±0.3% and Carbohydrates 38.13±0.53. Calcium oxalate crystals occurred in all the taxa studied, these crystals, which are in aggregates occurred mostly within the ground tissue of the leaves, stems and roots of all the taxa, investigated. The result of this study, when combined with the gross morphology, could aid field workers in resolving the confusion in the identification of Hyptis Suaveolens, which is an economically important plant. These findings suggest the need to further investigate the medicinal and nutritional potentials of Hyptis Suaveolens.