Phragmanthera incana (Schum) belonging to the family Loranthaceae, is a specie of mistletoe commonly found on trees in South-western part of Nigeria. They are hemi-parasitic plants that grow on trees which have been employed ethno-medicinally to treat several disease conditions. This study therefore evaluate the dietary and nutritional composition of the plant. Fresh leaves of P. incana from four host trees; Psidium guajava (guava), Cola acuminata (kolanut), Anacardium occidentale (cashew), and Mangifera indica (mango) trees were collected from its natural habitat. Proximate and mineral analysis were carried out according to recommended methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Triplicate readings of data obtained were presented as mean and standard deviation. The proximate analysis of the powdered samples of P. incana leaves showed that the samples contain varying amounts of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate and minerals The carbohydrates and protein contents obtained in the leaves falls within the recommendation values of Food and Nutrition Board of Institute of Medicines (IOM) at 45% to 65% of energy and 10% to 35% of energy respectively. Comparing the results obtained with permissible limits set by WHO for consumed medicinal herbs, it can be concluded that the essential metals and heavy metals present in P. incana from the four host trees were below permissible limits. P. incana leaves are rich sources of dietary elements essential for biochemical processes and body metabolism.

Increased demand for herbal remedies and natural quest for alcohol consumption has positioned alcoholic herbal bitters an acclaimed blood detoxifying and liver cleansing potential as an ideal drink without scientific validation. This study assessed the hepatorenal effect of Alomo and Jekomo, commonly consumed alcoholic bitters in male Wistar rat. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 110 to 130 g were divided into six groups of five animals each and treated with distilled water, ethanol, Alomo and Jekomo Alcoholic Bitters at 2.68 mL/kg body weight respectively for 28 days. The serum and kidney homogenate were used to determine biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea and bilirubin following standard methods. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum and kidney levels of total protein and albumin in alcohol treated groups. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum creatinine levels of ethanol and kidney homogenate of Jekomo bitters treated group when compared with control. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum and kidney urea and bilirubin concentration was also observed in all alcohol treated groups when compared with control. A combined elevation in urea and creatinine and bilirubin suggest a moderate to severe form of kidney and liver damage induced by the alcoholic herbal bitters. As essential markers of kidney function, the recorded elevation of urea and creatinine shows a potential exposure to renal dysfunction. Prolonged and increased consumption of these alcoholic herbal bitters should be discouraged to prevent hepatocellular injury or damage.