TITLE:
Phytocompound Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Urtica massaica Mildbr. Methanolic Leaf Extract as a Potential Source of Neuroprotective Agents for Cognitive Deficit
AUTHORS:
Patrick Mukabi, Wycliffe Arika Makori, Daniel Muthee Gaichu
KEYWORDS:
Cognitive Deficit, Oxidative Stress, Neuroprotective, Phytocompound, Antioxidant
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease,
Vol.15 No.2,
June
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: Cognitive deficit has been associated with oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage, prompting the need to investigate phytocompounds with antioxidant and potential neuroprotective properties. This study aimed at characterizing the phytocompounds and assessing the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf extract of Urtica massaica Mildbr. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to characterize the phytocompounds in the extract. Antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2’-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. The extract demonstrated DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 0.37 mg/mL and reducing activity in the FRAP assay with an EC50 of 0.62 mg/mL. Superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities produced IC50 values of 147.2 and 70.79 µg/mL, respectively, while inhibition of lipid peroxidation produced an IC50 of 205.4 µg/mL. U. massaica methanolic leaf extract contained diverse phytocompounds and demonstrates antioxidant activity through multiple mechanisms, including radical scavenging, reducing activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These findings provide preliminary biochemical evidence supporting further investigation of U. massaica as a potential source of antioxidant compounds relevant to oxidative stress associated with cognitive deficit.