Nutritive values and bioactive compounds content of three commonly used blood pressure regulating plant leaves

The nutritive and phytochemical contents of three commonly used blood pressure regulating plant leaves were evaluated. Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam (Oken); Viscum album (L) and Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson). The proximate analysis of the leaves were carried out using standard methods. The herbs were screened and quantified for level of phytochemicals. The mineral components were analyzed using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and flame photometer. Result revealed that the proximate composition shows that the plants are good source of carbohydrate, protein and minerals. Viscum album had the highest oxalate content. Mineral level of the selected plant leaves showed that these plants are good source of potassium and calcium. The plant leaf samples contain some important secondary metabolites such as tanins, terpenoids, saponins and alkaloids. Phlobatanins and steroids were not detected in any of the plant leaf sample. The results of this study suggest that the use of Viscum album be discouraged because of the high oxalate content and the variation of its chemical composition when attached to different host plant. Artocarpus altilis and Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf may still be utilized as anti-hypertensive provided that less than 50g and 100g are consumed daily.