Biological activities, GC-MS, and HPLC analyses of different parts of Urtica dioica L.

Current research aimed to reveal the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts of leaves and seeds of Urtica dioica. Moreover, GC-MS and HPLC analyses of the extracts were performed. The highest activity was observed in the ethyl acetate extract of seeds against Escherichia coli (13 mm). The DPPH radical scavenging activity was decreased in the following order at 1000 µg/mL concentration: rutin > BHT > ethyl acetate extract of leaves > ethyl acetate extract of seeds > acetone extract of seeds > acetone extract of leaves. The highest CUPRAC activity was determined in the acetone extract of leaves, and the lowest CUPRAC activity was determined in the ethyl acetate extract of seeds. This research showed that U. dioica represents a good source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents.