Abstract
Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae), commonly known as stinging nettle, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the group of phytoalimurgic vegetables, including the wild edible species that were all used in the past when there was a shortage of food. The plant is well known from everybody for the dermatitis it causes when touched, due to biochemical mediators such as histamine and acetylcholine. Recently there was a rediscovery of the plant as food and medicine because of the range of biological activities exhibited such as antirheumatic, anti-infective, immuno-modulatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, and allergy relief. This review, providing a botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview of the species, aims to contribute to arouse interest in the scientific community on this promising plant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahangarpour A, Mohammadian M, Dianat M (2012) Antidiabetic effect of hydroalcholic Urtica dioica leaf extract in male rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance. Iran J Med Sci 37(3):181–186
Akbay P, Basaran AA, Undeger U, Basaran N (2003) In vitro immunomodulatory activity of flavonoid glycosides from Urtica dioica L. Phyther Res 17:34–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1068
Akyurt B, Çam M, Başyiğit B (2018) Phenolic compounds content, antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of seven edible leaves. Gida J Food 43:876–885. https://doi.org/10.15237/gida.gd18076
Amiri Behzadi A, Kalalian-Moghaddam H, Ahmadi AH (2016) Effects of Urtica dioica supplementation on blood lipids, hepatic enzymes and nitric oxide levels in type 2 diabetic patients: a double blind, randomized clinical trial. Avicenna J Phytomed 6:686–695. https://doi.org/10.22038/ajp.2016.6763
Balpetek Külcü D, Demir Gökışık C, Aydın S (2019) An investigation of antibacterial and antioxidant activity of nettle (Urtica dioica L.), mint (Mentha piperita), thyme (Thyme serpyllum) and Chenopodium album L. plants from Yaylacık Plateau, Giresun, Turkey. Turk J Agric Food Sci Technol 7:73. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v7i1.73-80.2123
Bassett IJ, Crompton CW, Woodland DW (1977) The biology of Canadian weeds.: 21. Urtica dioica L. Can J Plant Sci 57:491–498. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps77-072
Beschia M, Leonte A, Oancea I (1982) Phenolic components with biological activity in vegetable. Buletinul Universitatii din Galati, Fascicula 6: Tehnologia si Chimia Produselor Alimentare 5:59–63
Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS (eds) Klein S and Rister RS (trans) (1998) The complete German Commission E monographs—therapeutic guide to herbal medicines. American Botanical Council, Integrative Medicine Communications, Austin, Boston
Bnouham M, Merhfour FZ, Ziyyat A et al (2003) Antihyperglycemic activity of the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica. Fitoterapia 74:677–681. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00182-5
Bucar F, Britzmann B, Streit B, Weigend M (2006) LC-PDA-MS-profiles of phenolic compounds in extracts of aerial parts of Urtica species. Planta Med 72:949952. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-949952
Buchko O, Havryliak V, Yaremkevych O et al (2019) Metabolic processes in the organism of animals under the action of plant extract. Regul Mech Biosyst 10:149–158. https://doi.org/10.15421/021922
Budzianowski J (1990) Caffeoylmalic and two pyrrole acids from Parietaria officinali. Phytochemistry 29(10):3299–3301. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)80203-S
Budzianowski J (1991) Caffeic acid esters from Urtica dioica and U. urens. Planta Med 57:507. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-960190
Carvalho AR, Costa G, Figueirinha A et al (2017) Urtica spp.: phenolic composition, safety, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Food Res Int 99:485–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.06.008
Chahardehi AM, Ibrahim D, Sulaiman SF (2009) Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of some medicinal plants in Urticaceae family. J Appl Biol Sci 3:25–29
Chaturvedi SK (2001) A new flavone from Urtica dioica roots. Acta Cienc Indica Chem 27(1):17–18
Chaurasia N, Wichtl M (1986a) Phenylpropanes and lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica L. Dtsch Apoth Ztg 126(29):1559–1563
Chaurasia N, Wichtl M (1986b) Scopoletin, 3β-sitosterol, and sitosterol 3β-d-glucoside from stinging nettle root (Urticae radix). Dtsch Apoth Ztg 126(3):81–83
Chaurasia N, Wichtl M (1987) Sterols and steryl glycosides from urtica dioica. J Nat Prod 50(5):881–885. https://doi.org/10.1021/np50053a018
Cummings AJ, Olsen M (2011) Mechanism of action of stinging nettles. Wilderness Environ Med 22:136–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2011.01.001
Dar SA, Yousuf AR, Ganai FA et al (2012) Bioassay guided isolation and identification of anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds from Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) leaves. Afr J Biotechnol 11:12910–12920. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajb11.3753
Dar SA, Ganai FA, Yousuf AR et al (2013) Pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of Urtica dioica. Pharm Biol 51:170–180. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2012.715172
De Vico G, Guida V, Carella F (2018) Urtica dioica (stinging nettle): a neglected plant with emerging growth promoter/immunostimulant properties for farmed fish. Front Physiol 9:1–5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00285
Duke JA, Ayensu ES (1985) Medicinal plants of China, medicinal plants of the world. Reference Publications, Algonac
Durović S, Zeković Z, Šorgić S et al (2018) Fatty acid profile of stinging nettle leaves: application of modern analytical procedures for sample preparation and analysis. Anal Methods 10:1080–1087. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ay02559a
Đurović S, Pavlić B, Šorgić S et al (2017) Chemical composition of stinging nettle leaves obtained by different analytical approaches. J Funct Foods 32:18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.02.019
Earle FR, Jones Q (1962) Analyses of seed samples from 113 plant families. Econ Bot 16:221–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860181
Edmondson JR (1992) Urticaceae. Flora Eur 1:79–81
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) (2015) Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of chlorophylls (E 140(i)) as food additives: re-evaluation of chlorophylls (E 140(i)) as food additives. EFSA J 13:4089. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4089
Facciola S (1990) Cornucopia: a source book of edible plants. Kampong Publications, Vista
Farag MA, Weigend M, Luebert F et al (2013) Phytochemical, phylogenetic, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of 43 Urtica accessions (stinging nettle) based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic profiles. Phytochemistry 96:170–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.09.016
Farzami B, Ahmadvand D, Vardasbi S et al (2003) Induction of insulin secretion by a component of Urtica dioica leave extract in perifused Islets of Langerhans and its in vivo effects in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 89:47–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00220-4
Francišković M, Gonzalez-Pérez R, Orčić D et al (2017) Chemical composition and immuno-modulatory effects of Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) extracts. Phyther Res 31:1183–1191. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5836
Ganßer D, Spiteller G (1995) Plant constituents interfering with human sex hormone-binding globulin. Evaluation of a test method and its application to Urtica dioica root extracts. Zeitschrift fur Naturforsch Sect C J Biosci 50:98–104. https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-1995-1-215
Ghaima KK, Hashim NM, Ali SA (2013) Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate extract of nettle (Urtica dioica) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). J Appl Pharm Sci 3:96–99. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2013.3518
Gohari A, Noorafshan A, Akmali M et al (2018) Urtica dioica distillate regenerates pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Iran J Med Sci 43:174–183
Grauso L, Emrick S, de Falco B, Lanzotti V, Bonanomi G (2019a) Common dandelion: a review of its botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological profiles. Phytochem Rev 18:1115–1132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-019-09622-2
Grauso L, Emrick S, Bonanomi G, Lanzotti V (2019b) Metabolomics of the alimurgic plants Taraxacum officinale, Papaver rhoeas and Urtica dioica by combined NMR and GC–MS analysis. Phytochem Anal 30:535–546. https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2845
Gregory LT (1997) Edible and medicinal plants of the west. ISBN 0-87842-359-1
Grosse-Veldmann B, Weigend M (2015) Weeding the nettles III: named nonsense versus named morphotypes in European Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae). Phytotaxa 208(4):239–260. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.208.4.1
Guil-Guerrero JL, Rebolloso-Fuentes MM, Torija Isasa ME (2003) Fatty acids and carotenoids from Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.). J Food Compos Anal 16:111–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-1575(02)00172-2
Gül S, Emirci B, Başer KH et al (2012) Chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic effects of essential oil from Urtica dioica L. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 88:666–671. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0535-9
Gülçin I, Küfrevioǧlu ÖI, Oktay M, Büyükokuroǧlu ME (2004) Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiulcer and analgesic activities of nettle (Urtica dioica L.). J Ethnopharmacol 90:205–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2003.09.028
Harrison RK (1961) Healing herbs of the Bible. EJ Brill, Leiden
Henning T, Quandt D, Grosse-Veldmann B et al (2014) Weeding the nettles II: a delimitation of “Urtica dioica L”. (Urticaceae) based on morphological and molecular data, including a rehabilitation of Urtica gracilis Ait. Phytotaxa 162:61–83. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.162.2.1
Hirano T, Homma M, Oka K (1994) Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na + , K + -ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. Planta Med 60:30–33. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959402
Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, Rosner W (1995) The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med 61:31–32. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957993
Hudec J, Burdová M, Kobida L et al (2007) Antioxidant capacity changes and phenolic profile of Echinacea purpurea, nettle (Urtica dioica L.), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) after application of polyamine and phenolic biosynthesis regulators. J Agric Food Chem 55:5689–5696. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf070777c
Huxley A (1992) The new royal horticultural society dictionary of gardening. Macmillan Reference, London
Iordache A, Culea M, Gherman C, Cozar O (2009) Characterization of some plant extracts by GC-MS. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res Sect B Beam Interact with Mater Atoms 267:338–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2008.10.021
Johnson TA, Sohn J, Inman WD et al (2013) Lipophilic stinging nettle extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, are not cytotoxic and may be superior to traditional tinctures for treating inflammatory disorders. Phytomedicine 20:143–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.09.016
Kavtaradze NS, Alaniya MD (2003) Anthocyan glucosides from Urtica dioica. Chem Nat Compd 39:315. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025447208164
Khalili N, Fereydoonzadeh R, Mohtashami R et al (2017) Silymarin, olibanum, and nettle, a mixed herbal formulation in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. J Evid Based Complement Altern Med 22:603–608. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217696929
Koch E (2001) Extracts from fruits of saw palmetto (Sabal serrulata) and roots of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): viable alternatives in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and associated lower urinary tracts symptoms. Planta Med 67:489–500. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-16496
Kraus R, Spiteller G (1990) Phenolic compounds from roots of Urtica dioica. Phytochemistry 29:1653–1659. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)80140-C
Kraus R, Spiteller G (1991a) Terpene diols and terpene diol glucosides from roots of Urtica dioica. Phytochemistry 30:1203–1206. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)95202-6
Kraus R, Spiteller G (1991b) Ceramides from Urtica dioica roots. Liebigs Ann der Chemie 1991:125–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/jlac.199119910123
Kraus R, Spiteller G (1991c) Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of trimethylsilylated phenolic glucosides from roots of Urtica dioica. Biol Mass Spectrom 20(2):53–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/bms.1200200203
Kukrić ZZ, Topalić-Trivunović LN, Kukavica BM et al (2012) Characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L.). Acta Period Technol 43:257–272. https://doi.org/10.2298/APT1243257K
Lopatkin N, Sivkov A, Schläfke S et al (2007) Efficacy and safety of a combination of Sabal and Urtica extract in lower urinary tract symptoms? Long-term follow-up of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial. Int Urol Nephrol 39:1137–1146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-9173-7
Mattirolo O, Gallino B, Pallavicini G (2011) Phytoalimurgia pedemontana. Come alimentarsi con le piante selvatiche. Blu Edizioni, Torino
Mzid M, Ben KS, Ben SM et al (2017) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanol and aqueous extracts from Urtica urens. Pharm Biol 55:775–781. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1275025
Namazi N, Esfanjani AT, Heshmati J, Bahrami A (2011) The effect of hydro alcoholic nettle (Urtica dioica) extracts on insulin sensitivity and some inflammatory indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind control trial. Pakistan J Biol Sci 14:775–779. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2011.775.779
Namazi N, Tarighat A, Bahrami A (2012) The effect of hydro alcoholic nettle (Urtica dioica) extract on oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Pakistan J Biol Sci 15:98–102
Namazi F, Shomali T, Taghikhani P, Nazifi S (2018) Protective effect of Urtica dioica leaf hydro alcoholic extract against experimentally-induced atherosclerosis in rats. Avicenna J Phytomed 8:254–262. https://doi.org/10.22038/ajp.2018.25213.1917
Namjou A, Heidarian E, Rafieian-Kopaei M (2018). Effects of Urtica dioica hydro-alcoholic extract on blood serum glucose and lipid profiles of female Wistar rats with long-term estrogen deficiency. In: Veterinary research forum, vol 9, no 4, p 349. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia
Neugebauer W, Schreier P (1995) Identification and enantiodifferentiation of C13 norisoprenoid degradation products of glycosidically bound 3-hydroxy-α-ionol from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.). J Agric Food Chem 43:1647–1653. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00054a044
Neugebauer W, Winterhalter P, Schreier P (1995a) Urtica dioica leaves: an attractive source for glycosidically bound C13 norisoprenoids. Colloques Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 75(95):227–233
Neugebauer W, Winterhalter P, Schreier P (1995b) 3-Hydroxy-α-ionyl-β-d-glucopyranosides from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves. Nat Prod Lett 6:177–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/10575639508043155
Orcic D, Franciškovic M, Bekvalac K et al (2014) Quantitative determination of plant phenolics in Urtica dioica extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Food Chem 143:48–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.07.097
Otles S, Yalcin B (2012) Phenolic compounds analysis of root, stalk, and leaves of nettle. Sci World J. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/564367
Pinelli P, Ieri F, Vignolini P et al (2008) Extraction and HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds in leaves, stalks, and textile fibers of Urtica dioica L. J Agric Food Chem 56:9127–9132. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf801552d
Pollard AJ, Briggs D (1982) Genecological studies of Urtica dioica L. I. The nature of infraspecific variation in U. dioica. New Phytol 92:453–470. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1982.tb03403.x
Pollard AJ, Briggs D (1984) Genecological studies of Urtica dioica L. II. Patterns of variation at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, England. New Phytol 96:483–499. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1984.tb03582.x
Proestos C, Boziaris IS, Nychas GJE, Komaitis M (2006) Analysis of flavonoids and phenolic acids in Greek aromatic plants: investigation of their antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. Food Chem 95:664–671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.01.049
Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F et al (2000) Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med 93:305–309. https://doi.org/10.1177/014107680009300607
Safarinejad MR (2006) Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Herb Pharmacother 5:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1300/J157v05n04_01
Schöttner M, Reiner J, Tayman FSK (1997a) (+)-neo-olivil from roots of Urtica dioica. Phytochemistry 46:1107–1109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00401-9
Schöttner M, Ganßer D, Spiteller G (1997b) Lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites bind to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Planta Med 63:529–532. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957756
Singh M, Sengar B (2019) Study on phytochemical and antioxidative potential of leaf extract of stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L. in Uttarakhand, India. JETIR 6(1):291–297
Stanojević LP, Stanković MZ, Cvetković DJ et al (2016) The effect of extraction techniques on yield, extraction kinetics, and antioxidant activity of aqueous-methanolic extracts from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves. Sep Sci Technol 51:1817–1829. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2016.1178774
Stearn WT (2004) Botanical Latin. First paperback edition. Timber Press, Portland
Ullah R, Hussain I, Ahmad S (2017) Diocanol; one new phenol derivative isolated and characterized from Urtica dioica. Arab J Chem 10:S1284–S1286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.03.009
Upton R (2013) Stinging nettles leaf (Urtica dioica L.): extraordinary vegetable medicine. J Herb Med 3:9–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2012.11.001
Wagner H, Willer F, Samtleben R, Boos G (1994) Search for the antiprostatic principle of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) roots. Phytomed 1(3):213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80068-1
Weigend M (2006) Urtica dioica subsp. cypria, with a re-evaluation of the U. dioica group (Urticaceae) in western Asia. Willdenowia 36(2):811–822. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.36.36212
Woodland DW (1982) Biosystematics of the perennial North American taxa of Urtica. II. Taxonomy. Syst Bot 7:282–290. https://doi.org/10.2307/2418389
Yener Z, Celik I, Ilhan F, Bal R (2009) Effects of Urtica dioica L. seed on lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and liver pathology in aflatoxin-induced tissue injury in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 47:418–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2008.11.031
Zemmouri H, Sekiou O, Ammar S et al (2017) Urtica dioica attenuates ovalbumin-induced inflammation and lipid peroxidation of lung tissues in rat asthma model. Pharm Biol 55:1561–1568. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2017.1310905
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Kimberley Reekie, Abertay University, Dundee, for English mother language corrections.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grauso, L., de Falco, B., Lanzotti, V. et al. Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L.: botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview. Phytochem Rev 19, 1341–1377 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-020-09680-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-020-09680-x