Review Article

Urtica dioica-Derived Phytochemicals for Pharmacological and Therapeutic Applications

Table 1

Geographical distribution, traditional uses, and pharmacology of Urtica species.

No.SpeciesGeographical distributionTraditional usesPharmacological activities

1Urtica andicola Wedd.TurkeySkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
2Urtica angustifolia Fisch. ex Hornem.China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, SiberiaNone knownAntifatigue
3Urtica ardens LinkBhutan, India, Nepal, SikkimExorcism, jaundice, postcalving care, sprains, bones fracture, hematuria, neck sore, yolk sore
4Urtica aspera PetrieNew ZealandStomach diseases, snakebites, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperplasia, fungal infections
5Urtica atrichocaulis (Hand.-Mazz.) C.J. ChenChina, Japan, Korea, Himalayas, PakistanRheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-modulatory
6Urtica atrovirens Req. ex LoiselFrance, Italy, SpainAntihyperglycemic, antioxidant, hepatic protective, antiviral, arthritis
7Urtica australis Hook.f.New ZealandSkin diseases, diabetes, eczema, fungal infections, arthritis
8Urtica ballotifolia Wedd.Colombia, Ecuador
9Urtica berteroana PhilChile, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia
10Urtica buchtienii RossChile, Argentina
11Urtica cannabina L.Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, China, Western Asia from Siberia to IranAnti-inflammatory
12Urtica chamaedryoides PurshUnited States, Mexico
13Urtica circularis SorarúBrazil, Argentina, Paraguay, UruguayAntioxidant, anti-inflammatory
14Urtica deltoidea Sw.New ZealandArthritis, inflammation, antiulcer, anticancer, antimicrobial activities
15Urtica dentate Hand.-MazzNorth AmericaKidney problems, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney calculiAntiarthritis, antiurolithiatic
16Urtica dioica L.United States, New Zealand, Turkey, Europe, Asia, North AmericaInjuries to reduce swelling, diuretic, flu, diabetes disease, losing weight, cold, cancers, anemic conditions, libido, induce menstruation, stomach- ache, renal and pulmonary diseasesAntiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory antiaging, cytotoxic/anticancer Effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia, antidiabetic, antiendometriosis, nephroprotective
17Urtica echinata BenthBolivia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador
18Urtica ferox BlancoNew Zealand, AustraliaSkin problems, hyperglycemic, antiviral, diuretic, hypotensive, antiaggregate
19Urtica fissa E. PritzChina, Taiwan, Egypt, VietnamRheumatoid arthritis
20Urtica flabellata KunthBolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, TurkeySkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
21Urtica galeopsifolia J. Jacq. ex BlumeRussia, Ukraine, BelarusRenal ailments, asthma, anemia, blood purification
22Urtica gracilenta GreeneKidney diseases, diabetes, fungal infections
23Urtica glomeruliflora Steud.Chile
24Urtica haussknechtii Boiss.Turkey
25Urtica hyperborea Jacq. exWedd.Nepal, India, ChinaSkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infectionsAntioxidant
26Urtica incana BlumePeruSkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
27Urtica kioviensis Rogow.Europe, Israel, RussiaArthritis, hepatic protective, antiviral
28Urtica lalibertadensis WeigendPeruSkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
29Urtica laetevirens Maxim.China, Japan, KoreaAnticancer
30Urtica leptophylla KunthCosta Rica, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, EcuadorSkin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
31Urtica lilloi (Hauman) GeltmanArgentina
32Urtica longispica KillipEcuador, Peru, ColombiaCough, eczema, gout, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis
33Urtica macbridei KillipEcuador, Peru
34Urtica magellanica Juss. ex Poir.Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, EcuadorAllergy, arthritis
35Urtica mairei H. Lév.China, India, Bhutan, Himalaya, MyanmarKidney pain. Its extract and paste kidney diseases, diabetes, fungal infections, inflammation, arthritisAntiprotatic hyperplasia
36Urtica masafuerae Phil.Chile
37Urtica massaica Mildbr.AfricaSkin rashes, malaria, eczema, skin rashes, dermatitis, diuretic
38Urtica membranacea Poir. ex SavignyIsraeli, Europe, AlgeriaAntioxidant, anti-inflammatory
39Urtica mexicana LiebmMexico, Guatemala
40Urtica mollis Steud.Peru, Chile, Argentina
41Urtica morifolia Poir.Europe
42Urtica orizabae Liebm.Mexico, United States, Cuba
43Urtica parviflora Roxb.Nepal, India, United States, Western China, Bhutan, HimalayaArthritis, tumor, astringent, diuretic, inflammatoryNephroprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant
44Urtica pilulifera L.Tunisia, Israel, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Turkey, PalestineSkin and prostate disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, skin treatment, inflammation, arthritis, internal bleeding, anemia, excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, hay fever, kidney problems, pain, skin problems, abdominal pain, internal diseases, antiasthmatic, antitumor, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue, depurative, antihyperglycemic, antidandruffAntidiabetic
45Urtica platyphylla Wedd.Japan, Russia
46Urtica praetermissa V.W. Steinm.Mexico
47Urtica pubescens Ledeb.Mexico
48Urtica rupestris Guss.Italy
49Urtica sondenii (Simmons) Avrorin ex GeltmanCanada
50Urtica spiralis BlumeMexico
51Urtica stachyoidesWebb & Benth.Spain, Mexico
52Urtica taiwaniana S.S. YingTaiwan
53Urtica thunbergiana Siebold & Zucc.Japan, Korea, ChinaAntiaging
54Urtica triangularis Hand.-Mazz.China
55Urtica trichantha (Wedd.) Acevedo & NavasChile, Bolivia, Peru, Japan, China
56Urtica urens L.Unite States, Mexico, Europe, Israel, New ZealandBlood depurative, antihypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatic protective, antiviral, diuretic, hypotensive, antiaggregate, kidney problemsAntioxidant, anti-inflammatory