<i>Urtica dioica</i> From El Menzel (Morocco): Phytochemical Analysis, In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects, and Toxicological Study With <scp>ADME</scp> Profiling

Stinging nettle (<i>Urtica dioica</i>) remains under-characterized despite its widespread ethnomedicinal use. Here, we combine quantitative phytochemistry, validated rodent pharmacology, and multi-target molecular modeling to explore the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of a Moroccan ecotype. HPLC-PDA analysis of the hydro-ethanolic extract (yield 14.8%) identified 15 phenolics, dominated by chlorogenic acid (26.5%), caffeic acid (18.8%), and p-coumaric acid (12.8%). In vivo, the polyphenolic fraction (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced acetic-acid writhing and carrageenan paw edema by 52% and 73%, respectively, and decreased both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin assay by over 59%. Similar efficacy was observed with the crude extract at 400 mg/kg, and acute oral toxicity tests showed no adverse effects up to 4 g/kg. Docking studies to mPGES-1, TRPV1, and BK2R revealed binding energies as low as -10.5 kcal/mol, highlighting rutin, hyperoside, and chlorogenic acid as promising lead compounds. ADME/Tox profiling indicated high oral developability for apigenin and a broad safety margin for all leads. Overall, these findings position <i>U. dioica</i> extracts as mechanistically validated phytopharmaceutical candidates for pain and inflammation management, supporting their potential for clinical development.

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Journal
Food Science & Nutrition
Published
2025-11-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71253
Primary Topic
Medicinal plant effects and applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Urtica dioica From El Menzel (Morocco): Phytochemical Analysis, In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects, and Toxicological Study With ADME Profiling

Mohammed Al‐Zharani, Amal Elrherabi, Amal Lahkimi, Nada H. Aljarba et al.
Food Science & Nutrition
Medicinal plant effects and applications
article

Urtica dioica From El Menzel (Morocco): Phytochemical Analysis, In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects, and Toxicological Study With ADME Profiling

Mohammed Al‐Zharani, Amal Elrherabi, Amal Lahkimi, Nada H. Aljarba, Sara Tlemcani, Mohamed Bouhrim, Hicham Bekkari, Ashraf Ahmed Qurtam, Meryem Doubi, Oussama Khibech
article en

Abstract

Stinging nettle (<i>Urtica dioica</i>) remains under-characterized despite its widespread ethnomedicinal use. Here, we combine quantitative phytochemistry, validated rodent pharmacology, and multi-target molecular modeling to explore the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of a Moroccan ecotype. HPLC-PDA analysis of the hydro-ethanolic extract (yield 14.8%) identified 15 phenolics, dominated by chlorogenic acid (26.5%), caffeic acid (18.8%), and p-coumaric acid (12.8%). In vivo, the polyphenolic fraction (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced acetic-acid writhing and carrageenan paw edema by 52% and 73%, respectively, and decreased both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin assay by over 59%. Similar efficacy was observed with the crude extract at 400 mg/kg, and acute oral toxicity tests showed no adverse effects up to 4 g/kg. Docking studies to mPGES-1, TRPV1, and BK2R revealed binding energies as low as -10.5 kcal/mol, highlighting rutin, hyperoside, and chlorogenic acid as promising lead compounds. ADME/Tox profiling indicated high oral developability for apigenin and a broad safety margin for all leads. Overall, these findings position <i>U. dioica</i> extracts as mechanistically validated phytopharmaceutical candidates for pain and inflammation management, supporting their potential for clinical development.

Food Science & NutritionVol. 13(12)
Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University (SA), Université Ibn-Tofail (MA), Mohamed I University (MA), Université Sultan Moulay Slimane (MA), Premier University (BD), Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (MA)
Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Openalex Percentile: Top 46%
Medicinal plant effects and applications
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