Determination of Phytochemicals, Proximate and Anti-nutritional Composition of the Aerial Parts of <i>Lepidagathis alopecuroides</i> (vahl)

Lepidagathis alopecuroides (Vahl) is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Acanthaceae and is traditionally used in the treatment of stomach pain and diarrhoea. The plant also exhibits larvicidal, piscicidal and insecticidal properties due to its bioactive constituents. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents, proximate composition, secondary metabolites and antinutritional contents of the aerial parts of Lepidagathis alopecuroides using standard analytical methods. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed moderate amounts of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids, while tannins, quinones, phenols, coumarins, phytosterols, phlobatanins and anthraquinones were detected in trace amounts. Proximate analysis showed the presence of ash (10.01 ± 0.035%), crude fibre (8.15 ± 0.098%), lipid (4.80 ± 0.042%), protein (24.33 ± 0.248%), carbohydrate (51.82 ± 0.219%) and calorific value (347.76 ± 0.269 Kcal/100 g). Quantitative analysis of secondary metabolites revealed flavonoids (32.16 ± 3.11 mg/100 g), alkaloids (4.17 ± 0.76 mg/100 g) and saponins (2.70 ± 0.03 mg/100 g). The anti-nutritional contents were phytate (16.38 ± 0.20 mg/100 g),oxalate (25.81 ± 0.51 mg/100 g), phenol (7.28 ± 0.20 mg/100 g), tannins (1.30 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) and hydrogen cyanide (0.40 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). The results indicate that Lepidagathis alopecuroides possesses appreciable nutritional and phytochemical constituents with relatively low levels of anti-nutritional factors. Appropriate processing methods suchas boiling and cooking may further reduce the anti-nutrient contents, thereby enhancing its nutritional and medicinal value for possible dietary and pharmaceutical applications.