Microscopical examination and β-sitosterol identification in Iraqi nettle leaves Available to Purchase

Urtica dioica L. is an herb that is widely used in traditional medicine around the world, it possess a tiny hair distributed all over the stems and below the leaves that is responsible for the sharp tingling or burning sensation which is for commonly famous as stinging nettle. Aerial parts of the plants contain many secondary metabolite that have important medicinal activity. This study was designed for Morphological and Microscopical identification of Iraqi Urtica dioica, Preliminary detection of active ingredients present in the plant and qualitative detection of β-sitosterol using chromatography techniques. Iraqi nettle has been collected, dried, and extracted by bath ultrasonic sonicator, fresh and dried leaves are used for microscopical examination, then standard methods are used for preliminary detection of active ingredient. Then the extract was examined by thin layer chromatography and High performance chromatography for β-sitosterol detection. Microscopic examination of the plant detected stomata of paracytic type and unicellular unbranched trachoma, Phytochemicals investigation of the aerial parts extract confirmed that important secondary metabolite like phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins are present, then both TLC and HPLC confirmed the presence of β-sitosterol in the plant extract as compared with standard.