title: Chemical composition, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Urtica urens L. leaves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of Urtica urens L.(Uu) as well as its anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan (CARR)-induced paw oedema in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The leaves were extracted using ethanol (EtOH) and water. The extracts were analysed for proximate composition and antioxidant activity using standard chemical analysis methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proximate analysis showed that Uu leaves contained appreciable percentages of dry mass, ashes, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, sugars, anthocyanin, carotenoid and fibre. Results showed that EtOH extract contained the highest amount of total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, ortho-diphenols and flavonols. It decreased the paw oedema after CARR administration, and ameliorated the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the malondialdehyde (MDA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uu displayed a high potential as a natural source of minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. EtOH extract exhibited a significant inhibition against CARR-induced inflammation.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Histology Embryology and Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax , University of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia and.
authors.forename: Massara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mzid
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Histology Embryology and Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax , University of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia and.
authors.forename: Sameh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Khedir
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Pharmacology , Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bardaa
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Pharmacology , Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zouheir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sahnoun
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Histology Embryology and Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax , University of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia and.
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rebai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000633:toxicity; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D027003:Urticaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002351:Carrageenan
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; carrageenan; oedema; oxidative stress