Evaluation of biochemical compositions of Urtica dioica L. extracts grown in Tunisia

Context

The work is part of a master's conducted between INAT and INRGREF. The work is aimed to extract the active substances from a medicinal plant with several therapeutic qualities: Urtica dioica. The biochemical and microbiological characteristics of theses extracts were also investigated.

Objective

Urtica dioica L. is an invasive plant, widespread in northern of Tunisia. This study is designed to explore the natural biological resources such as plants of agronomic and medicinal interest of Tunisia.

Results

Urtica dioica leaves were macerated using water, alcohol or oil as solvents. The aqueous extracts showed the most important antioxidant power with an IC50 equal to 0.6 mg / ml. The aqueous and alcoholic extract showed an interesting antimicrobial effect against Enteroccocus faecatis, Pseaudomonas aeroginas, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A total sensitivity against Candida Albicans was also observed.

Recommendations

As a continuation of this work, it is interesting to purify the molecules present in these extracts especially in the aqueous and alcoholic extracts. It would be also very necessary to complete this study in vivo conditions.

Impacts and weaknesses

Urtica dioica is an herbaceous plant, so many problems were observed in collecting areal parts.

Future developments

For the continuation of this work, we should expand the areas of application of these extracts in agriculture as bio-fertilizer and bio-pesticide. It is necessary to integrate them in the pharmaceutical and medicinal fields.