Preliminary Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidant Evaluation of an Herbal Formulation of Stinging Nettle, Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew (Urticaceae)


Trends in Natural Products Research

Preliminary Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidant Evaluation of an Herbal Formulation of Stinging Nettle, Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew (Urticaceae)

Joseph Oisemuzeimen Oiseoghaede, Abiola Saheed Tiamiyu, Fatima Agbeke Agboke

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos campus, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.
  2.  Advanced Diploma in Herbal Medicine Programme, Human Resources Development Centre, University of Lagos. Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria..

 

Key words:

Laportea aestuans, alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, phytochemicals, spectrophotometry.

 

*Corresponding Author: joiseoghaede@unilag.edu.ng
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v7i3.2026.174

 

Page No: 274-282
Volume: 7, Issue 3, 2026
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

 

 

 

Abstract

Metabolic disorders associated with non-communicable diseases are among the highest causes of death and disability worldwide. They increase the risk of diseases such as Diabetes mellitus (DM). The cost of currently available medications for DM has raised a need for more affordable and available alternatives to manage this ailment. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity of a Stinging Nettle, Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew [Urticaceae] dried root formulation. Qualitative and quantitative screening of phytochemicals were done using standard tests and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry. Antioxidant evaluation was done using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) assays while alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity was carried out to estimate anti-diabetic potential. Phytochemicals present in the crude extract of LAF included reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins, phenols and flavonoids. The extract of LAF had TP of 42.82 ± 0.19 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (mg/g GAE) and TF of 61.67 ± 0.33 mg/g rutin equivalent (mg/g RE). The crude extract of LAF had DPPH inhibition, TAC and FRAP of 91.31 ± 0.20 %, 167.42 ± 6.48 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalent and 22.15 ± 0.25 μM Fe2+/ml of extract respectively.