Evaluation of the Nutraceutical Potentials of Sida acuta (Burm .f) Malvaceae Leaves in Rats

This study aims at investigating the aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous and ethanol extract of Sida acuta leaves on male albino rats. The extraction gave a yield of 68 % and further characterization of aqueous extract showed: appearance; solution, colour; dark amber, odour; slight odour, taste; bitter leaf water, and texture; slightly slippery. The chemical properties of the extract showed proximate composition : dry matter; 92.28%, crude proteins; 16.04%, ash; 8.53%, crude fibre; 4.18 % , ethanol extract; 1.57% and energy; 2760 kcal / kg. Nutrients provide nourishment. Proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water are all nutrients. If people do not have the right balance of nutrients in their diet, their risk of developing certain health conditions increases. The phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids gave 6.67 ± 0.006; flavonoids; 2.94 ± 0.06; saponins; 0.00 ± 0.00 ; tannins; 4.14 ± 0.06; cardiac glycosides; 5.93 ± 0.05; phlobatanins; 3.92 ± 0.06; terpenoids; 5.59 ± 0.05 and anthraquinones; 0.00 ± 0.00. Also, the protein contents of the Sida acuta leaves showed the presence of essential and some non-essential amino acids.. Recent scientific findings have established a relationship between the consumption of phytochemicals like carotenoids, polyphenols, isoprenoids,phytosterols, saponins, dietary fibres, polysaccharides for the possess health benefits like prevention of diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Sida acuta being a mucilaginous plant is used in making sauce at homes. Beside the above high profile and abundant bioactive compounds, S.acuta leaves have abundant medicinal uses that made it an inter-continental nutraceutical plant.