Biological Functions of Urtica spp.and Its Application in Animal Production
Urtica spp.,a member of the Urticaceae family of angiosperms,is a traditional food and medicinal herb with high nutritional value and various bioactive components,including polysaccharides,flavonoids,and polyphenolic compounds.In the animal feed industry,Urtica spp.can replace traditional protein feed resources and high-quality forage,thereby reducing feed costs.Additionally,Urtica spp.extract has been found to exhib-it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,improve immune function,and enhance animal product quali-ty,thereby promoting the performance and.immunity of animals.As demand for feed additives with character-istics such as safety,no drug residues,and environmental friendliness continues to rise,Urtica spp.and its ex-tracts have garnered considerable attention and research in animal production.This review provides an overview of the biological functions of Urtica spp.and its application in animal production,as well as prospects for its future use,with the aim of providing scientific evidence and references for the application of Urtica spp.in ani-mal health and breeding.[Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition,2023,35(12):7519-7529]
Urtica spp.biological functionmechanisms of actionanimal production