Urtica dioica L.: A Comprehensive Review of its Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Properties

Abstract

Nettle is a commonly spread plant. Everyone knows it for its stinging touch. In fact, it is a medicinal plant used since ancient times for its many therapeutic properties. Urtica dioica is used in traditional medicine for different types of treatment. The active chemical part of the Stinging Nettle includes nearly fifty compounds of the lipophilic fraction and whose chemical structure is known. We find sterols, triterpenic acids, coumarins, phenols, lignans, ceramides, fatty acids and essential oils, all of which contribute to their medicinal and therapeutic properties. It exhibits a broad range of pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antiviral, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and anticancer effects. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical constituents, traditional uses, and pharmacological application of Urtica dioica.