<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.
Authors
- Mohammed Al‐Zharani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0810-4803)
- Amal Elrherabi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5442-6814)
- Amal Lahkimi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6830-755X)
- Nada H. Aljarba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9224-8844)
- Sara Tlemcani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9005-8953)
- Mohamed Bouhrim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9944-811X)
- Hicham Bekkari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-1030)
- Ashraf Ahmed Qurtam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7627-6105)
- Meryem Doubi
- Oussama Khibech (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9407-7576)
Institutions
- 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)
Publication Details
- 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
Funders
- Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University