Determination of antibacterial and antioxidant activity and identifying chemical compounds of Urtica dioica L. leaf essence as a potent antibacterial agent

There are different types of herbs in Iran as they can be applied for curing and controlling bacterial infection. In this context, Urtica dioica L. has shown great effects against gram negative and positive bacteria and antioxidant activity as well. This study showed that nettles leaf essence has high antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this experimental study, the leaves of nettle were collected from Sehezar region, Tonekabon, and then were extracted by Clevenger. Moreover, the chemical compounds of nettles leaves essence were identified by gas chromatography–mass/mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). Also, MIC and MBC tests were carried out against some bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistance Staphyloccus aureus, Escherchia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella dysenteria. The DPPH producer was used for evaluating antioxidant capacity as well. The essence of nettles leaves has acceptable antibacterial results against either gram negative and positive bacteria except Bacillus subtilis. Also, the antioxidant activity and the antioxidant activity index (AAI) of the essence were 21.53 and 2.116 &mug/ml, respectively. Moreover, the main components included phytol (35.0%), nonanal (15.3%), &beta-ionone (9.0%), phtaleic acid (7.4 %) and carvacrol (3.5%). For the first time, it has been demonstrated that nettle leaves essence can be used as a new broad spectrum antibacterial agent and efficient antioxidant for controlling and remedy of infectious diseases.