16 urtica dioica (sisno)

Medicinal value of Urtica dioica
Contents
Nomenclature
Biological source
Habbitat
cultivation and collection
chemical constituent
Pharmacological action including antioxidant, Anti-helmintic, Anti-diabetic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial.

1. Urtica dioica ( sisnu ) Shailendra shah Department of pharmaceutical science, Nobel college Pokhara University

2. Contents 2 Nomenclature Biological source Habitat Cultivation and collection Macroscopic and microscopic character Chemical constituent Pharmacological action Pharmacopoeial standard Formulation Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

3. Nomenclature Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Sub-division: Spermatophytina Class : Magnoliopsida Order: Urticales Family: Urticaceae Genus: Urtica Species: dioica English name: stinging nettle Vernacular name : sisnu 3 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020 Source:Urticahttps ://www.wildernesscollege.com/stinging-nettle.html

4. Biological source The biological sources of urtica plant are Leaf, Stem, Roots. 4 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020 Source:https :// gobotany.newengland wild.org/species/ urtica / dioica

5. Habitat It is native to cooler regions of Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, and North America. It is found throughout Nepal at 500-4500m in moist areas and uncultivated lands. The stinging nettle flourishes in temperate climates where it can receive plentiful sunlight. Stinging nettle generally grows in moist, nitrogen rich areas, preferring open, rich forests. 5 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

6. Cultivation and collection Three cultivation technique can be used for the stinging nettle: Direct sowing Growing seedlings in nurseries with subsequent transplantation Vegetative propagation 6 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

7. Direct sowing : The seedbed should have a loose and fine structure. Sowing time can be either in autumn or in spring. Seed density should be 6 kg/ha with row spacing of 30cm and 42-50cm in autumn and spring respectively. Growing seedling : For this technique pre germinated seeds are sown between mid/ end February and beginning of April and grown in nurseries. Vegetative propagation : stolon of 10cm should be planted from Mid April in a depth of 5-7cm. Head cuttings are grown in nurseries starting between mid-may and mid- june . 7 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

8. Collection The entire plant, collected just before flowering, has had a lengthy reputation in folk medicine. Seeds, leaves layered division may be collected after maturity when it is required. Stinging nettle sends new shoot up each year from buds on rhizome. After the seeds are ripened it is stored in dry places for three months. 8 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

9. Microscopic and Macroscopic character Microscopic character: Rhizomes : Thin cork composed of brown, thin-walled cells, a few rows of tangentially elongated cortical parenchyma and a pericyclic region with fairly numerous fibres . Cambial region distinct and continuous with narrow radial groups of vascular tissues separated by wide medullary rays, secondary phloem. 9 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

10. Root: very thin cork, narrow phellodem and secondary phloem and xylem with alternating areas of lignified and unlignified parenchyma in the wide medullary rays . Chromosome number : 2n= 52 The stem contains the venom whose active principle is found to be bicarbonate of ammonia. 10 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

11. Macroscopic character : Plant: erect, rhizomatous, dioecious , perennial, unbranched , can grow to 6ft. In height, covered with minute needlelike stinging hair that cause painful burning sensation. Leaves: opposite, 2-6 in long with leaf base broadly ovate to cordate and leaf margins serrate, stipules are 5-15mm long. Flowers, fruits & seeds : flowers are branched, many-flowered, and emerge from below the petioles which may exceed in length. Flowers may occur in May-July. Fruits occur in July- september . 11 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020

12. Organoleptic properties Color: Yellow Odour : odorless mostly, but has a flavor similar to spinach and cucumber when cooked. Taste: faintly aromatic characteristically bitter . March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 12

13. Chemical constituents Phytochemical compounds from U.dioica are flavonoids, tanins , volatile compounds and sterols. Three smooth- muscle stimulating substances including acetylcholine, histamine, & 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) have been identified in this plant. P- hydroxybenzaldehyde , scopoletin , β - sitosterol are also chemicals found in U.dioica March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 13

14. The main components of U.dioica are : Carvacrol (38.2%) Carvone (9.0%) Naphthalene ( 8.9%) (E)- anethol (4.7%) Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (3.0%) (E)- geranyl acetone (2.9%) (E)- β -ionone (2.8%) Phytol ( 2.7%) March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 14

15. P- hydroxybenzaldehyde March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 15

16. (E)- anethol March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 16 Source:https ://www.google.com.np/search?q=Structure+of+different+constituent+of+urtica+dioica&oq=structure&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i57j69i60l2.11886j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

17. Table 2. Phytoconsituents reported in Urtica dioica L. Secondary Metabolitesss Phyto -constituents Flavonoids kaempferol , isorhamnetin , quercetin , isoquercitrin , astragalin , and rutin Carotenes β‑ carotene, hydroxy ‑ β‑ carotene, lutoxanthin , lutein epoxide, and violaxanthin Essential oil esters, free alcohols, and ketones identify as 2‑methyl‑2‑hepten‑2‑one, acetophenone , ethyl ketone, traces of nitrogenous substances, phenols, and aldehydes Phenolics Phenylpropanes , caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and scopoletin Fatty acids Palmitic , stearic, oleic, linolenic and linolenic Other constituents Vitamins C, B, K and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 17

18. Pharmacological action Decoction of root is given in asthma; paste of root is used in dental cares, dog bites, cuts and wounds. Roots and pinus bark are together used to reset dislocated bones. Juice of root is also used in bile disease, 4 teaspoons three times a day is used in fever, boiled water is used as anthelmintic. March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 18 Ethnopharmacological uses :

19. Juice of stem is also used in fever. Leaves are boiled in water to reduce the amount to half and about a cup of this liquid three times a day is given to women after childbirth to regain energy. Decoction of leaves is used to treat menstrual disorder or jaundice ; three times a day three teaspoons is given for diarrhea and dysentry . Also used in cough and cold . March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 19

20. Antioxidant Activity : It scavenge free radicals or reactive oxygen species and prevent their damaging . The hydro‑alcoholic extract of Urtica dioica plant has shown significant results for antioxidant activity with half inhibitory concentration ( IC50)value of 88.33 ± 2.88 µg/ml. ( source: Jinous A. & Mohajerani R.(2012). The aqueous (5% decoction) and methanolic extracts at the concentration 50‑500 mg/ml have shown significant antioxidant potential. The aqueous extract in a dose‑dependent manner 12.5‑800 mg/ml inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated nitric oxide productions . ( source: Harput U., Saracoglu I., et.al..(1993) Antihelmintic Activity : The methanolic extract of leaves exhibited potent anthelmintic activity which has been investigated using earth worms ( Pheretima posthuma ) and the results revealed a dose dependent increase in anthelmintic activity of the extract at dose 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml . ( source: Kataki MS., Awasthi D., et.al..(2012) March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 20 Pharmacological action :

21. Anti-diabetic Activity : The aqueous extract of plant 250 mg/kg has shown a significant glucose lowering effect against alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The fructose induced insulin resistance in male rats has been shown to decrease serum glucose level on administration of hydro‑alcoholic leaf extract. The cold methanolic extract of leaves (250 mg/kg) has also shown significant antihyperglycemic effect in alloxan induced diabetes. (Source: Al- Wasfi RM., Hameed AF., et.al..(2012) Antiviral Activity : The N‑acetyl glucosamine‑specific lectin from Urtica dioica is a strong inhibitor of syncytium formation between HUT‑78 cells and CD4 + Molt/4 cells permanently infected by HIV‑1 and HIV‑2. The aqueous extract of the plant indicates a significant inhibition on the development of syncytia with low doses (0.5‑1 µg/ml) and increased when the concentration rose until it reached an inhibition level of 84% which, however began to show cytotoxic effects . (source: Uncini Manganelli RE., Zaccaro L., et.al., (2005) March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 21

22. Hypotensive effect : The aqueous extract of Urtica dioica reported to have positive inotropic effect associated with a marked decrease in heart rate without effecting heart pressure . However, the continuous intravenous perfusion of the aqueous extract at a dose of (4 and 24 mg/kg/h) has shown decreased in blood pressure by 15% and 38% respectively . (source: Legssyer A., Ziyyat A., et.al..(2002) Hepatoprotective Activity : It has ability to prevent damage to the liver, maintains balance in liver enzymes. The leaves extract of plant has shown maximum hepatoprotective activity at dose 400 mg/kg as suggested by decreased level of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin levels and significant decrease in malonyldehyde (MDA) level as well as a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD). The Urtica dioica seed extract has also shown protective effect on hepatic damage created with ischemia‑reperfusion and it exhibited liver protection effect by increasing the activity of paraoxonase , arylesterase and liver tissue catalase activity . ( source: Kataki MS., Sidhana J., et.al..(2011,2012) March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 22

23. Anti-microbial Activity: The plant has been tested for antimicrobial activity against various Gram positive and Gram‑negative bacteria: Bacillus subtilis IP 5832, Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli . The result has shown minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract ranged from 9.05 to more than 149.93 mg/ml. The flavonoids patuletin isolated from plant extract has also been tested for antimicrobial properties and the compound showed significant activity against S. aureus , S . faecalis , E. coli and C. albicans with MIC of 0.02, 0.02, 0.002 and 0.001 g/ml, respectively . (source: Saeed A., Ahmed Y., et.al..(1995) Diuretic Activity : The aqueous extract of whole plant has been reported to produce diuretic and natriuretic effects in rabbits. The aqueous extract of aerial part of the plant was administered at low dose (4 mg/kg/h) and high dose (24 mg/kg/h) which shows diuresis effect by increase diuresis (11 and 84% respectively) and natriuresis (28 and 143% respectively ). (source: Balzarini J., Manganelli RE., et.al.. (2005, 1992) Pharmacognosy V 23 March 2, 2020

24. Pharmacopoeial standard Standards Amount Foreign matter Not more than 2% Total ash Not more than 8% Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3.5% Water-soluble extractive Not more than 15% Loss on drying Not more than 12% March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 24

25. Commercial value One year old shoots from the plant are cut and dried. The bark are peeled and cooked to extract the fibre . The inner stem left after the bark is removed is used for firewood. To support the initiative, the Hariyo Ban Program provided a NRs 216,000 (approximately $2,400) enterprise grant while an additional Rs 40,000 (approximately $444) came from the Ragar Community Forest User Group. Source:http ://www.wwfnepal.org/?209063/Green-Enterprises-Improve-Livelihoods March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 25

26. Formulations Syrup, infusion, tincture, ointment, wash, shampoo Juice : It is obtained by liquidizing the whole fresh plant to make a good herbal tonic. Powder : It is obtained from dried leaves which is used for inhaler. Leaves root Infusion: 1 cup 2to 3 times daily Capsule: 2g 2 to 3 times daily Tincture: 2 to 3ml 2 to 3 times daily Tea: 3-4 tps of dried root or dried leaves in 2-3 cup of boiled water 3 or 4 times a day. March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 26

27. Dried leaf: 2-4 grams three times a day Fluid extract (root 1:1): 1.5ml three to four times a day Fluid extract (leaf 1:1): 2 to 5ml three times a day Creams: use as directed. Side effects L eaves of plant causes severe allergic skin reaction . Treatment with sisno in women may alter menstrual cycle. This plant may lower sugar level and may cause dizziness, tachycardia, tingling hands. 27 March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V

28. Precautions The raw plant should not be eaten, it shows bad effect to liver. Contraindicated for pregnant women and lactating mother. Care should be taken during picking due to risk of nettle hair stick. March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 28

29. References Asgarpanah J., Mohajerani R., ( 2012) Phytochemistry and pharmacologic properties of U.dioica Journal of Medicinal Plants Research , page(5714-5719) Vol.46 Joshi B ., Mukhija M., et.al., ( 2014) Pharmacognostical review of U.dioica Department of Pharmacognosy , Indo-Soviet-Friendship College of Pharmacy Moga https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica ( Accessed on 20 June, 2018 March 2, 2020 Pharmacognosy V 29

30. 30 Pharmacognosy V March 2, 2020