Background: The stem-bark of Leptadenia hastata (Rubiaceae) is commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases in Adamawa State. Understanding its nutritional composition and antimicrobial properties is essential for validating its ethnomedicinal uses. Objective: To evaluate the proximate composition, anti-nutrient content, and antimicrobial activity of ethanol and water extracts of the stem-bark of Leptadenia hastata. Methods: The stem-bark was extracted using ethanol and water. Proximate composition and anti-nutrient contents, including phytate and oxalate, were determined. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion method against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Both extracts contained nutritionally significant levels of protein but were low in crude fats and ash. Anti-nutrient contents (phytate and oxalate) were below levels considered nutritionally significant. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed antimicrobial activity with zones of inhibition (mm) as follows: Streptococcus pyogens (12.00 ± 0.01, 13.00 ± 0.01), Staphylococcus aureus (12.00 ± 0.01, not detected), Escherichia coli (6.00 ± 0.02, 13.0 ± 0.03), and Shigella dysenteriae (11.00 ± 0.01, 6.3 ± 0.02). Water was found to be a more effective extraction solvent, supporting the traditional use of aqueous decoctions and concoctions of Leptadenia hastata in disease treatment. Conclusion: The stem-bark of Leptadenia hastata is nutritionally rich in protein, low in anti-nutrients, and exhibits antimicrobial properties, particularly when extracted with water. These findings support its traditional use in herbal medicine in Adamawa State
Emmanuel Chukwudi Okafor (Wed,) studied this question.