• Maneesha Singh
• Bhawna Sengar

In present day scenario, free radicals are produced naturally in human body linked to diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidant agents can act against free radicals either by retarding their formation (preventive antioxidants) or by in-activating in reaction medium (chain breaking antioxidants). Thus, the search for effective, nontoxic natural compounds with antioxidative activity has been intensified in recent years. Stinging nettle, (Urtica dioica L), also called common nettle, weedy perennial plant of the nettle family (Urticaceae), and known for its stinging leaves. The present study comprised of collection of plant Urtica dioica L from different locations of Uttarakhand followed by ethanol extraction for phytochemical analysis. Estimation of total phenol and flavonoid contents with the emphasis for determination of antioxidant activities of these plants. The percentage yield of crude extract in Urtica sample ranges from 58 - 64%. Phytochemical studies showed that alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides were present in all the samples of Urtica dioica while anthocyanin and cardiac glycosides were absent in all the samples. The phenolic concentration of samples ranges from 0.44±0.03 to 0.64±0.02. The flavonoid content of the samples of Urtica dioica L varies from 0.83±0.23 to 0.68±0.009. The study was also conducted with reference to the reducing power activity which was highest in sample 3 which is of Pauri. The antioxidant activities of three samples were calculated by DPPH scavenging activity. The IC50 value of samples ranged from 227.191-389.066 µg/ml. Thus, the plant Urtica dioica L. can be used as a food supplement and herbal antioxidants which can reduce the effect of free radical and maintaining the health.

Urtica dioica L, antioxidative potential, phenols, flavonoids

"STUDY ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDATIVE POTENTIAL OF LEAF EXTRACT OF STINGING NETTLE, URTICA DIOICA L IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.291-297, January-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901538.pdf

"STUDY ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDATIVE POTENTIAL OF LEAF EXTRACT OF STINGING NETTLE, URTICA DIOICA L IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp291-297, January-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901538.pdf