Extraction, ethnopharmacological study and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities of Urtica dioica L .

Abstract

Urtica dioica L. is a medicinal plant belonging to the Urticaceae family. It has long been used in traditional medicine and as food in many countries, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The present study aimed to investigate the ethnopharmacological study, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of infusion extract of Urtica dioica (AqE). An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted to document its traditional uses in folk medicine. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis was carried out to determine the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins in this plant. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging method, along with in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and toxicity assessments. The ethnopharmacological data revealed that 78.8% of the participants reported using this plant in traditional medicine. Quantitative results showed that the AqE present an amount contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins were 12.83 ± 0.11 µg gallic acid equivalents, 1.74 ± 0.19 µg quercetin equivalent, and 14.35 ± 2.00 µg catechin equivalent/mg dry extract, respectively. The AqE exhibited a significant antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 0.15 mg/ml. In the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect, the extract exhibited a significant and dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the AqE showed no toxicity at a dose of 2 g/kg. This consistency between the results and the traditional uses of the plant Urtica dioica L. in folk medicine strengthens the credibility of its medicinal efficacy and supports the scientific basis for its potential use in future therapeutic applications.