Nettle root

Urtica angustifolia Fisch. ex Homem. U. cannabina L. U. cannabina L. f. angustiloba Chu U. lobata L. U. tenacissima Roxb. U. mens L. U. utillis Hort. (Syn. Boehmeria nivea) Yu Ma (Chinese nettle) (root) Chlorogenic acid, alkaloids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, fabric.4849304 Diuretic, tonic, stomachache, arthritis. 

Screening involved evaluation of 220 candidate botanical ingredients in vitro for their ability to inhibit ILlp gene expression in human mononuclear cells (U937 and THP-1) that were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Table 11.1, activity 2). The ingredient list was narrowed to twenty-six botanicals that had a 50% inhibitory concentration of <10 pg/ml in the in vitro IL-1 production assay. The potential IL-1 inhibitors were further narrowed to four botanicals (artichoke leaf extract, nettle root extract, olive fruit extract, and rose hips extract) based on criteria such as reliability of sourcing, purity, and others that might contribute to commercial potential. 

Herbal remedies hold a different place in medical practice in many European countries than in the United States. One of the most dramatic examples of the difference is in the treatment of benign prostate disease. This very common condition affects about 25 percent of men in their forties and nearly 80 percent of men who are over 70. In Germany, several hundred million dollars are spent annually on prostate remedies, with 80 percent of that spent on herbal medications. Herbal medications dominate the market for treating nonmalignant prostate disease. They have very few side effects and cost per dose approximately 20 to 35 percent of what synthetic drugs do. Treatment with herbal preparations typically costs under a dollar a day. Four of the most popular in Germany are extracts from the fruit of the saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, rye pollen extract, and nettle root. 

Prostagutt capsules (Schwabe) contains saw palmetto, nettle root, and aspen. 

In addition to saw palmetto, many of the following herbs have been used to effectively treat BPH. Some, such as nettle root, have undergone scientific studies to confirm traditional uses. Others... 

Nettle leaf is a well-known herb. The nettle root is little known but is an effective medicine. It combines well with saw palmetto for the treatment of prostatic symptoms. Like Serenoa, nettle root inhibits the breakdown of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The mechanism for this is believed to be its inhibition of both 5-alpha-reductase and aromatase. While nettle root is less effective than saw palmetto, the two together or with pygeum have greater activity than either herb by itself... 

The common pumpkin seed has been extensively studied for its beneficial effect on prostate health. Seed extracts inhibit 5-alpha-reductase conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The mechanism of action seems to be different from that of saw palmetto, nettle root, or pygeum. Researchers speculate that betasitosterol (a phytosterol) competes with androgens, thus decreasing esposure of the prostate to hormonal stimulation. Eating pumpkin seeds (1 to 2 ounces per day) or taking gel capsules (2 to 4 per day) has shown benefits in reducing inflammation and other prostatic symptoms. 

In addition, Serenoa has been found to reduce cholesterol levels within prostatic tissue. This is notable because higher levels of this substance are found in prostate glands with cancer than in those without. Saw palmetto also contains an acylglyceride, 1-monolaurin, which has shown mild activity against one type of prostatic cancer cell in laboratory experiments. Hence, the use of saw palmetto, as well as nettle root (Urtica dioica), pygeum (Prunus africanum), and pumpkin seed, may offer hope and protection to our aging male population. 

Sensitive samples are often destroyed when subjected to measurement by fluorescence. This sensitivity should be borne in mind when performing a vahdation and, if appropriate, it should be stated in the testing procedures that the chromatogram should be measured only once. Our own investigations into the determination of dried extract of nettle root showed that a second determination of scopoletine on the same chromatogram lane gave a value that had decreased by ca. 5 %. 

Figure 38. Identification of scopoletine in nettle root dry extract...

Figure 53. TLC of nettle root dry extract (DE) in various TLC systems...

Other Western herbs that have been investigated for the treatment of BPH include pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo), nettle root (Urtica dioica or Urtica urens), bee pollen (particularly that from the rye plant), African potato (tubers of Hypoxis rooperi), and the African tree Pygeum africanum, also known as Prunus africanum. In most cases, but particularly with pumpkin seeds and African potato, the main active components are sterols, such as p-sitosterol, which also has been used for BPH. 

A review of 15 clinical studies, with a total of over 16,000 participants, indicated that stinging nettle root was... 

A review of 15 clinical studies of stinging nettle root, with a total of over 16,000 participants, indicated that no serious adverse events were reported in any of the studies. Daily doses taken by participants were up to 756 mg of hydroalcoholic dry native extract for up to 6 months, although several studies included doses of 300 mg daily for 24 months. Adverse events reported in the studies were primarily mild gastrointestinal upset, with fewer than 5% of participants experiencing such events (ESCOP 2003). In a study of stinging nettle root extract, adverse events deemed probably or possibly related to treatment occurred in approximately 1% of the 1319 participants (Kaldewey 1995). 

No information on the safety of stinging nettle root in pregnancy or lactation was identified in the scientific or traditional literature. Although this review did not identify any concerns for use while pregnant or nursing, safety has not been conclusively established. 

No case reports of adverse events related to stinging nettle root were identified. 

No information on the safety of stinging nettle root in pregnancy or lactation was identified. 

The LDjo of orally administered stinging nettle root extract in rats could not be determined at doses up to 30 g/kg (Chrubasik et al. 2007). 

No mutagenic activity of a stinging nettle root extract was observed in the Ames mutagenicity test with... 

No effects on cell viability were observed in mouse white blood cells (splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages) treated with an aqueous extract of stinging nettle root (Harput et al. 2005). 

Recent experiments on stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) demonstrate a potent inhibition of enzymes involved in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Steroidal compounds including stigmast-4-en-3-one are thought to be responsible for this... 

Hirano, T., Homma, M. and Oka, K. 1994, Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na , K -ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia , Planta Medica 60 30-33. 

Sajfrtova, M., Sovova, H. L., Opletal, L. BMlova, M. (2005). Near-critical extraction of beta-sistoterol and scopoletin from stinging nettle roots. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 35(2), 111-118. Doi 10.1016/... 

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