Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae): traditional use, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological potential–an updated mini review
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Huyen Pham Van, Hanh Tran Thi Ngoc, Hien Nguyen Thi Thu, Duyen Nguyen Huu Huong, Thuan Nguyen Thi Dieu, Phan Nguyen Huu Toan, Hoi Quach Van
Review Articles | Published: 19 January, 2026
First Page: 0
Last Page: 0
Views: 57
Keywords: n Urena lobatan , Traditional use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activity
Abstract
The Malvaceae family is a significant plant family, not only in terms of economic value, with genera such as Gossypium, Hibiscus, Malva, and Urena, but also for its contributions to traditional medicine and as a food source. Among them, Urena lobata stands out for its substantial benefits to the community, offering economic, medicinal, and nutritional value. Economically, the plant produces durable and environmentally friendly fiber. Historically, it has served as a famine food for African communities and is also considered a safe and nutritious feed for livestock. The most remarkable contribution of Urena lobata lies in its medicinal properties. Traditional remedies have used this plant to treat digestive disorders, colds, asthma, and even as a contraceptive. Scientific studies have investigated its phytochemical composition, revealing a diverse range of compounds, including flavonoids, lignans, megastigmane, sterols, phenolics, and alkaloids. Researches have further validated several traditional medicinal uses through biological activity studies, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antifertility, antidepressant, and antidiarrheal properties. This review further consolidates and expands on new aspects regarding the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological activities of U. lobata, while highlighting its potential for effective utilization in the future.
References
Adeloye A, Akinpelu D, Ogundaini OA, Obafemi C (2007) Studies on antimicrobial, antioxidant and phytochemical analysis of Urena lobata leave extract. J Phys Nat Sci 1(2):1–9
Akomolafe GF, Rosazlina R (2023) Evidence of invasion: land use influences the invasion of Urena lobata in the Guinea Savanna ecosystems of Nigeria. Biol Invasions 25(7):2175–2184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03030-6
Ali S (2013) Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanol extract of Urena lobata (L) leaves. Pharm Innov Pharm Innov 2(2):9–14
Antonius A, Pazla R, Putri EM, Negara W, Laia N, Ridla M, Suharti S, Jayanegara A, Asmairicen S, Marlina L, Marta Y (2023) Effectiveness of herbal plants on rumen fermentation, methane gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and population of protozoa. Vet World 16(7):1477–1488. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.1477-1488
Awan TH, Chauhan BS, Sta Cruz PC (2014) Influence of environmental factors on the germination of Urena lobata L. and its response to herbicides. PLoS ONE 9(3):e90305. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090305
Babu SS, Madhuri DB, Ali S (2016) A pharmacological review of Urena lobata plant. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 9(2):20–22
Cao DM, Bui AL, Bui LV, Quach PND (2024a) An efficient droplet-vitrification cryopreservation procedure for high imperatorin-yielding hairy root clones of Urena lobata. Cryobiology 118:105186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2024.105186
Cao DM, Bui AL, Van Bui L, Quach PND (2024b) Development of an efficient selection procedure for high imperatorin-yielding hairy root clones of Urena lobata L. using morphological and molecular markers. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 159(2):35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-024-02898-z
Cao DM, Vu PTB, Hoang MTT, Bui AL, Quach PND (2020) Developing a sufficient protocol for the enhancement of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by Urena lobata L. aeroponic hairy roots using exogenous factors, a precursor, and an elicitor. Plants 9(4):548. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040548
Dhanapal R, Ratna JV, Gupta M, Sarathchandran I (2012) Preliminary study on antifertility activity of Enicostemma axillare leaves and Urena lobata root used in Indian traditional folk medicine. Asian Pac J Trop Med 5(8):616–622. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1995-7645(12)60127-8
Fagbohun E (2012) Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae). J Med Plant Res 6(12):2256–2260. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR09.233
Handayani N, Gofur A (2018) The potency of pulutan (Urenalobata L.) leaves decoction as antifertility based on its effect on uterine development of Balb C mice (Musmusculus). J Kedokt Hewan 11(4):153–155. https://doi.org/10.21157/j.ked.hewan.v11i4.6261
Islam M, Ibrahim M, Ahsan MQ, Mohi M, Chowdhury M, Hossain M, Rashid M (2012) Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Uraria lagopodies DC. and Urena lobata L. Dhaka Univ J Pharm Sci 11(1):65–69. https://doi.org/10.3329/dujps.v11i1.12490
Islam M, Riaz T, Ayatollahi SA, Sharifi-Rad J (2021) Anxiolytic-like effect of Urena lobata (L.) in swiss albino mice. Clin Phytosci 7(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-021-00249-5
Islam M, Uddin M (2017) A revision on Urena lobata L. Int J Med 5(1):126–131. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijm.v5i1.7525
Jia L, A YM, Jing LL, Zhou SA, Kong DY (2011) Three new flavonoid glycosides from Urena lobata. J Asian Nat Prod Res 13(10):907–914. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.599802
Jia L, Bi YF, Jing LL, Zhou SA, Kong DY (2010) Two new compounds from Urena lobata L. J Asian Nat Prod Res 12(11):962–967. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2010.510468
Keke C, Nsofor W, Kumabia F, Iloabuchi G, Ejiofor J, Osuagwu O (2023) GCMS and FTIR analysis of ethanol and methanol leave extract of Urena lobata (caesar weed) for bioactive phytochemical constituents. J Drug Deliv Ther 13:99–115. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v13i1.5722
Kumar D, Kumar S, Sahu M, Govindasamy C, Kumar A (2024) Trachelogenin from Urena lobata demonstrates promising potentials against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (3CL Protease) of Endemic COVID. J King Saud Univ Sci 36(11):103572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2024.103572
Kumar D, Kumar S, Sahu M, Kumar A (2020) Evaluation of pharmacological features and nanoparticle formation by Urena lobata. Haya Saudi J Life Sci 5(10):226–235. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjls.2020.v05i10.006
Kumar D, Kumar S, Sahu M, Pender GC, Govindasamy C, Kumar S, Kumar A (2025) GC-MS identified bioactive compounds of Urena lobata L. demonstrate anti–inflammatory and immunomodulatory potentials against rheumatoid arthritis: an in silico, in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Pharmacol Res-Nat Prod 6:100152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100152
Luo Y, Su C, Ding N, Qi B, Jia F, Xu X, Liu X, Wang J, Wang X, Tu P, Shi S (2019) Lignan glycosides from Urena lobata. Molecules 24(15):2850. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24152850
Mathappan R, Krishnan SK, Sujeet S, Tribedi S (2019) Evaluation of antitumor activity of Urena lobata against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma treated mice. Orient Pharm Exp Med 19(1):21–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-018-0342-x
Mshelia IY, Dalori BM, Hamman LL, Garba S (2013) Effect of the aqueous root extract of Urena lobata (linn) on the liver of albino rat. Res J Appl Sci Eng Technol 5(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.5.5076
Ngueguim FT, Khan MP, Donfack JH, Siddiqui JA, Tewari D, Nagar GK, Tiwari SC, Theophile D, Maurya R, Chattopadhyay N (2012) Evaluation of Cameroonian plants towards experimental bone regeneration. J Ethnopharmacol 141(1):331–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.041
Nguyen-Pouplin J, Tran H, Tran H, Phan TA, Dolecek C, Farrar J, Tran TH, Caron P, Bodo B, Grellier P (2007) Antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of ethnopharmacologically selected medicinal plants from South Vietnam. J Ethnopharmacol 109(3):417–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.08.011
Oanh NC, Lam TQ, Tien ND, Hornick JL, Ton VD (2021) Effects of medicinal plants mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs. Vet World 14(7):1894–1900. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.1894-1900
Oladele G, Abatan M (2011) Haematological and sperm count changes following exposure to Hyptis suaveolens, Cleome viscose and Urena lobata in rats. Niger Vet J 31(12):170–176. https://doi.org/10.4314/nvj.v31i2.68956
Omonkhua A, Onoagbe I (2011) Evaluation of the long-term effects of Urena lobata root extracts on blood glucose and hepatic function of normal rabbits. J Toxicol Environ Health Sci 3(8):204–213
Omonkhua AA, Onoagbe IO (2012) Long-term effects of three hypoglycaemic plants (Irvingia gabonensis, Urena lobata and Carica papaya) on the oxidative status of normal rabbits. Biokemistri 24(2):82–89
Purnomo Y, Makdasari J, Fatahillah FI (2021) Inhibitory activity of Urena lobata leaf extract on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase: in vitro and in silico approach. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 32(4):889–894. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0430
Purnomo Y, Soeatmadji DW, Sumitro S, Widodo M (2015a) Anti-hiperglycemic effect of Urena lobata leaf extract byinhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV)on diabetic rats. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res 7(5):1073–1079
Purnomo Y, Soeatmadji DW, Sumitro SB, Widodo MA (2015b) Anti-diabetic potential of Urena lobata leaf extract through inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 5(8):645–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.014
Purnomo Y, Soeatmadji DW, Sumitro SB, Widodo MA (2017) Incretin effect of Urena lobata leaves extract on structure and function of rats islet β-cells. J Tradit Complement Med 7(3):301–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.10.001
Purnomo Y, Tilaqza A (2022) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Urena lobata L. leaf extract. Indones J Pharm 33(4):566–574. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijp.2145
Quan PM, Van TTH, Lam DT, Phuong DL, Ich CT, Long PQ, Minh PTH (2019) Study on the chemical constituents of Urena lobata growing in Viet Nam. Vietnam J Sci Technol 57(2):162–169. https://doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/57/2/13019
Sajem AL, Gosai K (2006) Traditional use of medicinal plants by the Jaintia tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, northeast India. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2(1):33. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-2-33
Shelar PA, Gharge VG, Yadav AV (2017) Pharmacognostic evaluation, phytochemical screening and antimicrobial study of leaves extracts of Urena lobata linn. Curr Res Pharm Sci 7(2):40–49. https://doi.org/10.24092/CRPS.2017.070202
Shelke A, Chavan A, Patel K (2024a) Standardization of Urena lobata linn: unveiling pharmacognostical features, preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPTLC fingerprinting. J Nat Remedies 24(8):1809–1820. https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2024/44094
Shelke A, Chavan A, Patel K, Patidar N, Parsaila N, Sharma D, Shinde S, Wakchaure R (2024b) Assessment of in vitro antioxidant and analgesic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Urena lobata leaves. J Nat Remedies 24(5):1083–1090. https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2024/36373
Shi XP, Su C, Qi BW, Yang WQ, Wu Y, Ding N, Dong XJ, Shi S (2017) Flavonoid glycosides from aerial part of Urena lobata. Chin Pharm J 52(19):1670–1674. https://doi.org/10.11669/cpj.2017.19.003
Silalahi M, Supriatna J, Walujo E, Nisyawati N (2015) Local knowledge of medicinal plants in sub-ethnic Batak Simalungun of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 16(1):44–54. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d160106
Singh D (2014) Urena lobata: a green source of anti-oxidant. J Plant Sci (Sci Publ Group) 2(6):299. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20140206.16
Singh D, Singh V (2016) Isolation and characterization of flavonoids in Urena lobata leaves. Eur J Med Plants 11(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.9734/EJMP/2016/21502
Sipai S, Madhuri DB, D S (2016) Anxiolytic antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Urena lobata leaf. Int J Pharm Res Health Sci 4(4):1284–1290. https://doi.org/10.21276/ijprhs.2016.04.07
Su C, Qi B, Wang J, Ding N, Wu Y, Shi X-P, Zhu Z-X, Liu X, Wang X-H, Zheng J, Tu P-F, Shi S-P (2018) Megastigmane glycosides from Urena lobata. Fitoterapia 127:123–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.017
Usin S, Okon U, Adedoyin D, Emmanuel P (2024) Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and elemental profiling of selected medicinal plants in South-West, Nigeria. Asian J Biol Sci 17:145–155. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2024.145.155
Yadav AK, Tangpu V (2007) Antidiarrheal activity of Lithocarpus dealbata and Urena lobata extracts: therapeutic implications. Pharm Biol 45(3):223–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200701213153
Yang Y, Huang Z, Zou X, Zhong X, Liang X, Zhou J (2017) The antibacterial effect of Urena lobata L. fromv Guangxi on mice with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 14(1):73–88. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v14i1.9
Yudi P, Andri T (2024) Inhibitory potential of Pulutan (Urena lobata) leaf extract on inducible nitric oxide synthase as anti-inflammatory agent: in vitro and in silico approaches. Trop J Nat Prod Res 8(8):8195–8201. https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v8i8.41
Zhou H, Zhang J, Kirbis BS, Mula Z, Zhang W, Kuang Y, Huang Q, Yin L (2023) Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Bulang people in Yunnan, China. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 19(1):38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-023-00609-0
Author Information
Department of Natural Compounds, Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Dalat, Vietnam