Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle): A Pharmacologically Important Medicinal Plant Species of Himalayan Region
Geeta Rawat *
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
Alka Bameta
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
A. K. Gaur
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) belonging to the family Urticaceae is a medicinal plantfound in the Himalayas region from Kashmir to Kumaon region (Uttarakhand.). In Himalayan region, this plant is used for the daily purpose as food as well as to serve animals. It contains various phytochemicals like phenolic acid, coumarins, flavanols, bioflavonoids, Flavan-3-ols etc which is used to cure many diseases like arthritis, constipation, Pulmonary, Liver, Intestine, Kidney, Diabetes, Fungal infections, anti-inflammatory, internal injury and wounds. It also has hepatoprotective activity, anti‑hyperlipidemic activity, diuretic activity, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity. Researchers have reported about 30 species with 47 genera and 1,300 species worldwide used to treat different diseases. Medicinal plants have proved to be the “backbone” of traditional medical system which signifies that developing countries depend upon medicinal plants for therapeutic use.
Keywords: Diseases, medicinal plants, phytochemicals, therapeutic, traditional medical system.