Abstract

Dennettiatripetala (DT) leaves are commonly used as decoction in traditional medicine for the management of certain health conditions including fevers, asthma, diarrhoea, anemia, pain, diabetes and bacterial infections, due to its
bioactive compounds. In this study, the aqueous extract was investigated for its phytochemical, nutritional and antioxidant potential. Fresh leaves of Dennettiatripetala were collected, air-dried, pulverized, macerated in distilled water and thereafter, concentrated with a rotary evaporator. Using standard methods, nutritional composition, qualitative phytochemical and invitro antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Results of the proximate analysis show that DT leaves contain -moisture content (11.9%), crude fibre (48.5 %), crude protein (6.21%), fat content (7.3%) and ash content (8.65%). Mineral analysis indicates phosphorus (100.5mg/100g) as the predominant mineral, followed by calcium (24.5mg/100g), potassium (24.3mg/100g), sodium (19.04mg/100g), magnesium (9.22mg/100g), iron (5.3mg/100g) and zinc (1.97mg/100g). Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenoids and reducing sugars, while
flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and coumarins were not detected. In addition, DT effectively scavenged DPPH radical in a concentration-dependent manner. In the same vein, the extract demonstrated ferric reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. The findings of this study portray the rich contents of phytochemicals and nutrients in Dennettiatripetala, giving credence to its effectiveness in health management.