Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) – Properties, Uses and Applications
. Anjali
Department of Biosciences, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab - 140413, India.
. Sushma *
Department of Biosciences, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab - 140413, India.
Reena Sharma
Department of Biosciences, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab - 140413, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Utricaceae is a family of herbs and shrubs that can be found in a variety of habitats around the world. A lot of research has been carried out till date targeted for close understanding of this medicinal plant. The botanical distribution, Ethnomedicinal applications, Traditional uses as well as Pharmacological properties of the Urtica genus, are discussed in this study. The composition such as flavonoids and array of phenolic compounds which includes alcohols, Diocanol, Diol glucosides, Terpenes diols, and sugars as well are an inclusion in the genus Urtica. A wide range of research reports have been published representing its biological and pharmacological potential against cancer, tumors, bacterial, viral or fungal infections significantly. The information about the Urtica genus has been extracted using electronic database search such as Google Scholar and Pubmed as well as a library search for peer-reviewed journal publications.
Keywords: Urtica dioica, stinging nettle, medicinal plants, traditional plants