AIM: To investigate the effects of Nigella sativa 1 (NS) and Urtica dioica 1 (UD) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats. METHODS: Fifty-six healthy male Wistar ...AIM: To investigate the effects of Nigella sativa 1 (NS) and Urtica dioica 1 (UD) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats. METHODS: Fifty-six healthy male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly allotted into one of the four experimental groups: A (CCl4-only treated), B (CCl4+UD treated), C (CCl4+NS treated) and D (CCl4+UD+NS treated), each containing 14 animals. All groups received CCl4 (0.8 mL/kg of body weight, sc, twice a week for 60 d). In addition, B, C and D groups also received daily i.p. injections of 0.2 mL/kg NS or/and 2 mL/kg UD oils for 60 d. Group A, on the other hand, received only 2 mL/kg normal saline solution for 60 d. Blood samples for the biochemical analysis were taken by cardiac puncture from randomly chosen-seven rats in each treatment group at beginning and on the 60th d of the experiment. RESULTS: The CCl4 treatment for 60 d increased the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and also decreased the antioxidant enzyme levels. NS or UD treatment (alone or combination) for 60 d decreased the elevated lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme levels and also increased the reduced antioxidant enzyme levels. The weight of rats decreased in group A, and increased in groups B, C and D. CONCLUSION: NS and UD decrease the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and increase the antioxidant defense system activity in the CCl4-treated rats.展开更多
Nettle(Urtica dioica)contains a wide range of chemical constituents that confer a strong antioxidant capacity to the plant.The present study was to investigate the antioxidant gene expression and pulmonary hypertensiv...Nettle(Urtica dioica)contains a wide range of chemical constituents that confer a strong antioxidant capacity to the plant.The present study was to investigate the antioxidant gene expression and pulmonary hypertensive responses of broiler chickens to U.dioica.A total of 240 one-d-old broilers(Ross308)were randomly assigned to 4 dietary levels of U.dioica(0.0.5%.1% and 1.5%).Birds were reared for6 wk in a high altitude region(2.100 m).The results showed a significant relative overexpression(target gene/β-actin as the arbitrary unit)of catalase(CAT)and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1)in the liver and lung of the chickens fed U.dioica.Lipid peroxidation was significantly suppressed,as reflected in reduced circulatory concentrations of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the birds fed U.dioica.These birds also had significantly(P<0.05)higher serum nitric oxide(NO)concentrations than those in the control group.Feeding U.dioica at 1% and 1.5% also attenuated the right ventricular hypertrophy(reflected in the lower right to total ventricular weight ratio),which was associated with a significant lower rate of mortality from pulmonary hypertension syndrome.Feeding U.dioica led to an upregulation of hepatic and pulmonary antioxidant genes.展开更多
AIM: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, this plant has been used in India for several...AIM: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, this plant has been used in India for several medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to evaluate certain neuropharmacological properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. dioica root (TDA) in experimental animal models. METHODS: TDA (at 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 body weight, p.o.) was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick methods. Locomotor depressant activity was measured by means of an actophotometer. Skeletal muscle relaxant effects were evaluated by using a rota-rod apparatus, and the sedative potentiating property by a phenobar-bitone-induced sleep potentiation study. RESULTS: The results of the present study revealed significant (P<0.001) and dose dependent anti-nociceptive, locomotor depressant, muscle relaxant, and sedative potentiating effects of TDA, demonstrating its depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS). CONCLUSION: From the present study, it can be concluded that T. dioica root possessed prominent anti-nociceptive, as well as depressant, action on the CNS, as manifested by these important neuropharmacological properties in mice.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Urtica dioica extract has been shown to play a protective role in the neurodegeneration associated with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To verify the neuroprotective efficacy of nettle extract on pyramidal...BACKGROUND: Urtica dioica extract has been shown to play a protective role in the neurodegeneration associated with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To verify the neuroprotective efficacy of nettle extract on pyramidal cell density in the CA3 hippocampal subfield following administration of Urtica dioica extract to young diabetic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, neurobiological study was performed at the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Gorgan University of Medical Sciences in Iran from 2006 to 2007. MATERIALS: Urtica dioica leaves were collected from a cultivated plant in the suburb of Gorgan (northem Iran) and taxonomically identified by the Department of Pharmacognosy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: A total of 20 male, albino, Wistar rats, aged 6-7 postnatal weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control, diabetic model, preventive, and treatment, with five rats in each group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in the diabetic and treatment groups. Rats from the preventive group received a hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg per day) during the first 5 days, and then streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) was administered on day 6. One week following the streptozotocin injection, rats in the treatment group were intraperitoneally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following administration of Urtica dioica extract, the dorsal hippocampal formation of the right cerebral hemispheres was stained with cresyl violet. Area densities of CA3 pyramidal cells were measured. RESULTS: The diabetic, preventive, and treatment groups exhibited reduced cell densities compared with the control group (P 〈 0.05). Moreover, densities of CA3 pyramidal cells in the treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the diabetic model group (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Urtica dioica extract ex展开更多
Objective:To investigate the healing effects of two herbal preparations.Methods:For this purpose,106 wistar rats were divided into 9 groups including a control,eucerine,phenytoin,Urtica dioica(U.dioica)(2%),U.dioica(5...Objective:To investigate the healing effects of two herbal preparations.Methods:For this purpose,106 wistar rats were divided into 9 groups including a control,eucerine,phenytoin,Urtica dioica(U.dioica)(2%),U.dioica(5%),Sambucus ebulus(S.ebulus)(2%),S.ebulus(5%),combination(2%),and combination(5%)groups.The control group remained untreated,the eucerin and phenytoin groups were considered as the negative and positive controls respectively,and the remaining groups received different concentrations of the ointments.Full thickness wounds were made.The healing process of the wounds was investigated on day 7,14 and 21 of the experiment.Several factors including the number of fibroblasts,new vessel formation(angiogenesis),thickness of the granulomatous tissues(GT),and the overlying epithelium were analyzed.Results:Among the studied groups,all of the treatment groups were significantly different from the control,eucerin,and phenytoin groups in a positive manner with regard to all studied factors(P 0.05).However,the best results were observed with the S.ebulus(2%) and the combination 2% groups(P 0.05).Conclusions:Topical ointments prepared from the extracts of U.dioica and S.ebulus and their combination possess strong wound healing properties.It is postulated that a synergistic effect may exist between the two extracts since the combination 2% showed better results than the sole extracts.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the antioxidant ef ect of an orally administered ethanol extract of nettle(Urtica dioica) and its protective role in preventing or ameliorating oxidative stress as a major factor in gentamicin...Objective:To investigate the antioxidant ef ect of an orally administered ethanol extract of nettle(Urtica dioica) and its protective role in preventing or ameliorating oxidative stress as a major factor in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided into 4 equal groups:(G1) control group,(G2) gentamicin treated group(100 mg/kg),(G3) nettle treated group(100 mg/kg),(G4) combination treated group with both gentamicin(100 mg/kg) and nettle(100 mg/kg) for 10 days. The antioxidant properties of nettle were evaluated using dif erent antioxidant tests, such as determination of glutathione and malondialdehyde levels and total phenolic content analysis. Results: Biochemical and histopathological study revealed that gentamicin caused nephrotoxicity observed clearly in the histopathological section of the kidney in the gentamicin treated group. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were biochemical indicators for nephrotoxicity which increased signii cantly in gentamicin treated group; other groups have no signii cant change in these two parameters. Nettle extract protected the rabbits from alteration in the level of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine when given after inducing of gentamicin nephrotoxicity. The nettle treated group showed a great ef ect as an antioxidant factor by increasing the glutathione level and reducing malondialdehyde level. No signii cant changes in biochemical parameters and no renal histopathological changes observed in the groups treated with nettle extract, which meant nettle had powerful antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be assumed that the nephroprotective ef ect shown by nettle in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity can reserve intracellular levels of biological pathways and supportively enhance excretion of toxic levels of gentamicin.展开更多
Antioxidants are free radical scavengers found in spices which may play a significant role in preventing cell death. Allspice is a dried unripe berry obtained from the Pimento dioica plant that may have antioxidant po...Antioxidants are free radical scavengers found in spices which may play a significant role in preventing cell death. Allspice is a dried unripe berry obtained from the Pimento dioica plant that may have antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of allspice using selected assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Nitric Oxide (NO) and Oxygen Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of allspice were determined using both water and methanol extraction. A comparison of antioxidant activity of water and methanol extracts of allspice was conducted using the different assays (DPPH, TEAC, NO, ORAC and FRAP). The total phenolic content (6.9%), NO scavenging (38.8%) and ORAC (35.1%) activity were higher in methanol compared to water extracts of allspice while flavonoids (57%), FRAP (11.2%), and TEAC (1.82%) were higher in water extracts compared to methanol extracts of allspice. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. The IC50 (DPPH), FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC activity were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. Total flavonoid content, FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.5) in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. This shows that allspice has antioxidant potential and that the method of extraction can play a crucial role on the number of phytochemicals extracted from the plant. Utilization of allspice in food products may provide additional functional properties.展开更多
Background: Urtica dioica L. is a common Himalayan species which produces allergenic substances causing oedema and inflammation in humans. It has become a source of folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Th...Background: Urtica dioica L. is a common Himalayan species which produces allergenic substances causing oedema and inflammation in humans. It has become a source of folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases. The leaves and roots both are used internally as a blood purifier and diuretic and an infusion of the plant is used for nasal and menstrual haemorrhage, diabetes, rheumatism, eczema, anaemia, hair loss, as an expectorant and antidiarrhoeal. Present study includes pharmacognostic evaluation, antioxidant activity and HPTLC analysis of Urtica dioica L. Methods: Pharmacognostic evaluation of aerial part of U. dioica has been performed as per Indian pharmacopoeia. In-vitro antioxidant evaluation of U. dioica has been performed using DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Ferulic acid, a potential phenolic antioxidant present in this species, has been studied through HPTLC. Results: U. dioica hydro-alcoholic extract shows positive results for antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 88.33 ± 2.88 μg/ml. Standard ascorbic acid showed IC50 value of 2.8 ± 0.62 μg/ml. Ferulic acid was identified at Rf 0.61 ± 0.01 and quantified to 0.73% in this species through CAMAG HPTLC analysis. Conclusion: The pharmacognostical parameters reported can be considered as quality standards of U. dioica in herbal industry. Hydro-alcoholic extract of U. dioica showed positive in vitro antioxidant activity. Presence of phenolic compound suggests that antioxidant activity may be due to ferulic acid content.展开更多
Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.is a climber of the Cucurbitaceae family mainly found in tropical Asia.The fruit is widely consumed as a vegetable and different parts of this plant are used in the traditional medicine to tr...Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.is a climber of the Cucurbitaceae family mainly found in tropical Asia.The fruit is widely consumed as a vegetable and different parts of this plant are used in the traditional medicine to treat various types of human ailments.In this review,we critically analyzed and presented the scientific studies on T.dioica available in three electronic databases viz.PubMed,Web of Science and Google Scholar.Our aim was to find the scientific basis of the traditional use to understand the plant’s potential in therapy.Studies have found promising antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic,antitumor,cytotoxic,arsenic poisoning ameliorative,anti-inflammatory,antidiarrheal,and varieties of pharmacological activities of T.dioica.Different types of bioactive compounds have been identified and isolated from T.dioica including peptides namely trichosanthin and lectin;a number of triterpenes like cucurbitacin B,euphol,α-amyrin,-amyrin,lupeol,taraxerol,betulin,and karounidiol;sterols,steroidal saponin,tannin,flavonoids etc.T.dioica contains a number of well-known bioactive phytochemicals and the plant has shown an array of pharmacological activities in vivo.This review will expand our understanding of the therapeutic potential of T.dioica and their phytochemical basis which may help in further research on this species.展开更多
Urtica dioica is a perennial herb from the family of Urticaceae that is commonly known as stinging nettle.This plant is widespread in Europe,Africa,America,and a part of Asia,as it adapts to different environments and...Urtica dioica is a perennial herb from the family of Urticaceae that is commonly known as stinging nettle.This plant is widespread in Europe,Africa,America,and a part of Asia,as it adapts to different environments and climatic condi-tions.The leaves,stalk,and bark of U.dioica found applications in the field of nutrition,cosmetics,textile,pest control and pharmacology.In this connection,bioactive chemical constituents such as flavonoids,phenolic acids,amino acids,carotenoids,and fatty acids have been isolated from the plant.With this review,we aim at providing an updated and comprehensive overview of the contributions in literature reporting computational,in vitro,pre-clinical and clini-cal data supporting the therapeutic applications of U.dioica.Experimental evidence shows that U.dioica constituents and extracts can provide neuroprotective effects by acting through a combination of different molecular mecha-nisms,that are discussed in the review.These findings could lay the basis for the identification and design of more effective tools against neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Objective: The high transmission rate and mutations of SARS-Co V-2 have made it a global pandemic, and the shortage of any effective clinical treatment has created such a commotion. There are some synthetic antiviral ...Objective: The high transmission rate and mutations of SARS-Co V-2 have made it a global pandemic, and the shortage of any effective clinical treatment has created such a commotion. There are some synthetic antiviral drugs, such as remdesivir and lopinavir that are being repurposed to treat SARS-Co V-2, but all of these demonstrate extreme side effects in humans. Hence, promoting herbal-based drug development has become crucial as they are cost-effective and have lesser or no side effects. Urtica dioica is abundant in the Himalayan region and the compounds present in it have shown significant antiviral and anti-SARS activity. Therefore, molecular docking studies were performed to identify SARS-Co V-2 spike protein inhibitors from U. dioica to combat the COVID-19 disease. Materials and Methods: Compounds from U. dioica were screened using the bioinformatic approach, and subsequently, these compounds were docked with the S1 subunit of the COVID-19 spike protein(PDB ID: 6YOR). Molecular docking was carried out using the Py Rx software(0.8 version) and further examined by employing the Discovery Studio Visualizer. Results: About all the selected compounds showed significant binding energy(e.g., beta-sitosterol:-10.3 kcal/mol) in contrast to the control chloroquine phosphate. This binding was observed with the spike protein residues that were common in the old strain and the more contagious newly modified B.1.1.7 strain of SARS-Co V-2. Conclusions: Thus, our study can be used in effective drug development against SARS-Co V-2 and its mutant strains also.展开更多
The anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum ( Brandenburger and Schvinn) G. Deml. and Oberw.) causes a systematic infection of its host Silene dioica ( L.) Clairv., resulting in sterility and production of teliospores (dis...The anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum ( Brandenburger and Schvinn) G. Deml. and Oberw.) causes a systematic infection of its host Silene dioica ( L.) Clairv., resulting in sterility and production of teliospores (dispersal propagules) in flowers. These spores are transmitted to healthy plants mainly by flower visitors. The behavioral responses of flower visitors to a variation in floral characters are not only likely to affect rates of pollen export/import, but also the rate of spore deposition and probability of disease. In a transplantation experiment, using plants from four different populations, we tested for correlation between variation in female floral morphology and patterns of spore and pollen deposition, and a resulting risk of disease. The source populations in this experiment were located on four islands in Skeppsvik archipelago in northern Sweden, and represented a gradient of disease incidence from completely healthy ( Island 1), low incidence ( Island 2) to high incidences ( Islands 3 and 4) of disease. Fifty plants from each population were transplanted to the center, of the population on Island 4. There were significant differences among the transplants in floral characters, i.e. corolla size, style length and ovule number. Plants from the non-diseased population had larger flowers and longer styles than plants from the highly diseased populations. Numbers of pollen grains and spores deposited on flowers were strongly and positively correlated. We found that plants originating from the non-diseased population captured approximately 4 times more pollen and 9 times more spores, per flower than die individuals from the resident population (Island 4, population 4). The incidences of disease among plants, from the four populations differed significantly, and was 37%, 20%, 18% and 0 for populations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. In a survey of ten populations we found a significant negative correlation between the mean style length ( positively correlated with corolla size and ovule number) among healthy展开更多
Planktonic Oikopleura dioica respond almost instantly to opportunistic algal blooms,but it is unknown whether the population increase can change from an exponential to a logistic model to avoid a final sudden collapse...Planktonic Oikopleura dioica respond almost instantly to opportunistic algal blooms,but it is unknown whether the population increase can change from an exponential to a logistic model to avoid a final sudden collapse.To test the hypothesis that intraspecific competition regulates the intrinsic rate of natural increase(r),density-dependent effects on growth and reproduction performance were investigated in O.dioica via laboratory incubations.Over a large food concentration range,batch maturation was observed above the per capita food supply(PFS)of 8.1µgC/ind.in 4.5 d.Somatic growth was saturated beyond this PFS value,whereas gonad length increased continuously.Below this threshold,individuals reached small body and gonad lengths,and maturation was rarely observed during the incubation period.The gonad/body volume and maturation ratios also increased with the PFS.Instead of the food concentration,the r values were regulated by competition pressure via variability in maturation duration and the proportion of mature individuals in the cohorts.When the minimum food demand was satisfied in the designated generation time,the r value tended to be regulated by the spawning proportion in the population.Otherwise,prolonged development duration and decreased r values were expected.展开更多
The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica wer...The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica were collected within three replications from different locations: Biare 1,090 masl (meters above sea level), Tawile 1,450 masl and Awiser 1,680 masl. The aerial parts of Viola and Melissa were collected randomly within three replications at different locations: Biare 1,090 masl, Degashikhan 1,250 masl and Tawile 1,450 masl. The extracts of the aerial parts of these species were purified by filtrations for several times in preparation for HPLC analyses. The chromatograms of Urtica indicated the presence of five major important alkaloid components (fragrine, benzylisoquinoline, scopoletin, glucoquinone and dotriacotaine) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). All the concentrations of alkaloid and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of alkaloid dotriacotaine. The chromatograms of Viola indicated the presence of four major important alkaloid components (violine, isoquinoline, cycloviolacin and luteolin-3-glucoronide) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). The results of the influence of altitudes showed that the concentrations of all alkaloids and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of the alkaloid luteolin-3-glucoronide and the phenolic compounds zeaxanthin and luetin epoxide. The chromatograms of Melissa indicated the presence of five major essential oils (pinene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol and rosmarinic acid). Their quantitative evaluations were influenced by altitudes indicating that the conce展开更多
Background:Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symp-toms(LUTS)in older men.Nowadays,there are several plant extracts used for the treatment of LUTS due to BPH.Objec...Background:Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symp-toms(LUTS)in older men.Nowadays,there are several plant extracts used for the treatment of LUTS due to BPH.Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the effect of combining silodosin 8 mg with Serenoa repens,Urtica dioica,Cucurbita pepo(Rotaprost 530 mg)compared to silodosin 8 mg and Rotaprost 530 mg alone in patients with LUTS/BPH.Methods:Four hundred five men with symptomatic BPH were recruited for the study from June 2020 to Jan-uary 2021.Three hundred eighty-nine patients were followed up for 6 months.All participants provided writ-ten informed consent.This prospective study included analysis of three treatment groups:Group I patients(n=130)received a combination of silodosin 8 mg and Rotaprost 530 mg(containing a dry extract of Serenoa repens 80 mg,a dry extract of Urtica dioica 150 mg,a dry extract of Cucurbita pepo seeds 200 mg,zinc(in the form of zinc picolinate)0.105 mg,and selenium(as sodium selenite)22.5μg);the group II(n=129)re-ceived silodosin 8 mg alone,and the group III(n=130)received Rotaprost 530 mg alone.Outcomes were measured by changes from baseline in International Prostate Symptom Score(IPPS)total score,PSA value,prostate volume,residual urine after urination,and maximum flow rate.Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results:In group I,IPSS,prostate volume,and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)improved significantly(P<0.05)compared with groups II and III during follow-up.Prostate volume in group I showed a significant decrease only during 6 months of therapy(P<0.05).No serious adverse effects were registered in the three groups.Conclusion:Combination therapy with silodosin 8 mg significantly reduced LUTS/BPH,Qmax,and prostate volume compared with silodosin 8 mg alone.Rotaprost 530 mg can also reduce PSA by at least 20.6−25.7%after 6-months of treatment.展开更多
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of Nigella sativa 1 (NS) and Urtica dioica 1 (UD) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats. METHODS: Fifty-six healthy male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly allotted into one of the four experimental groups: A (CCl4-only treated), B (CCl4+UD treated), C (CCl4+NS treated) and D (CCl4+UD+NS treated), each containing 14 animals. All groups received CCl4 (0.8 mL/kg of body weight, sc, twice a week for 60 d). In addition, B, C and D groups also received daily i.p. injections of 0.2 mL/kg NS or/and 2 mL/kg UD oils for 60 d. Group A, on the other hand, received only 2 mL/kg normal saline solution for 60 d. Blood samples for the biochemical analysis were taken by cardiac puncture from randomly chosen-seven rats in each treatment group at beginning and on the 60th d of the experiment. RESULTS: The CCl4 treatment for 60 d increased the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and also decreased the antioxidant enzyme levels. NS or UD treatment (alone or combination) for 60 d decreased the elevated lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme levels and also increased the reduced antioxidant enzyme levels. The weight of rats decreased in group A, and increased in groups B, C and D. CONCLUSION: NS and UD decrease the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and increase the antioxidant defense system activity in the CCl4-treated rats.
基金financially supported by Shahrekord University,Shahrekord,Iran
文摘Nettle(Urtica dioica)contains a wide range of chemical constituents that confer a strong antioxidant capacity to the plant.The present study was to investigate the antioxidant gene expression and pulmonary hypertensive responses of broiler chickens to U.dioica.A total of 240 one-d-old broilers(Ross308)were randomly assigned to 4 dietary levels of U.dioica(0.0.5%.1% and 1.5%).Birds were reared for6 wk in a high altitude region(2.100 m).The results showed a significant relative overexpression(target gene/β-actin as the arbitrary unit)of catalase(CAT)and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1)in the liver and lung of the chickens fed U.dioica.Lipid peroxidation was significantly suppressed,as reflected in reduced circulatory concentrations of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the birds fed U.dioica.These birds also had significantly(P<0.05)higher serum nitric oxide(NO)concentrations than those in the control group.Feeding U.dioica at 1% and 1.5% also attenuated the right ventricular hypertrophy(reflected in the lower right to total ventricular weight ratio),which was associated with a significant lower rate of mortality from pulmonary hypertension syndrome.Feeding U.dioica led to an upregulation of hepatic and pulmonary antioxidant genes.
文摘AIM: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, this plant has been used in India for several medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to evaluate certain neuropharmacological properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. dioica root (TDA) in experimental animal models. METHODS: TDA (at 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 body weight, p.o.) was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick methods. Locomotor depressant activity was measured by means of an actophotometer. Skeletal muscle relaxant effects were evaluated by using a rota-rod apparatus, and the sedative potentiating property by a phenobar-bitone-induced sleep potentiation study. RESULTS: The results of the present study revealed significant (P<0.001) and dose dependent anti-nociceptive, locomotor depressant, muscle relaxant, and sedative potentiating effects of TDA, demonstrating its depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS). CONCLUSION: From the present study, it can be concluded that T. dioica root possessed prominent anti-nociceptive, as well as depressant, action on the CNS, as manifested by these important neuropharmacological properties in mice.
基金a Research Grant from the Department of Research, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences
文摘BACKGROUND: Urtica dioica extract has been shown to play a protective role in the neurodegeneration associated with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To verify the neuroprotective efficacy of nettle extract on pyramidal cell density in the CA3 hippocampal subfield following administration of Urtica dioica extract to young diabetic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, neurobiological study was performed at the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Gorgan University of Medical Sciences in Iran from 2006 to 2007. MATERIALS: Urtica dioica leaves were collected from a cultivated plant in the suburb of Gorgan (northem Iran) and taxonomically identified by the Department of Pharmacognosy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: A total of 20 male, albino, Wistar rats, aged 6-7 postnatal weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control, diabetic model, preventive, and treatment, with five rats in each group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in the diabetic and treatment groups. Rats from the preventive group received a hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg per day) during the first 5 days, and then streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) was administered on day 6. One week following the streptozotocin injection, rats in the treatment group were intraperitoneally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following administration of Urtica dioica extract, the dorsal hippocampal formation of the right cerebral hemispheres was stained with cresyl violet. Area densities of CA3 pyramidal cells were measured. RESULTS: The diabetic, preventive, and treatment groups exhibited reduced cell densities compared with the control group (P 〈 0.05). Moreover, densities of CA3 pyramidal cells in the treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the diabetic model group (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Urtica dioica extract ex
基金supported by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Urmia University,Urmia,Iran
文摘Objective:To investigate the healing effects of two herbal preparations.Methods:For this purpose,106 wistar rats were divided into 9 groups including a control,eucerine,phenytoin,Urtica dioica(U.dioica)(2%),U.dioica(5%),Sambucus ebulus(S.ebulus)(2%),S.ebulus(5%),combination(2%),and combination(5%)groups.The control group remained untreated,the eucerin and phenytoin groups were considered as the negative and positive controls respectively,and the remaining groups received different concentrations of the ointments.Full thickness wounds were made.The healing process of the wounds was investigated on day 7,14 and 21 of the experiment.Several factors including the number of fibroblasts,new vessel formation(angiogenesis),thickness of the granulomatous tissues(GT),and the overlying epithelium were analyzed.Results:Among the studied groups,all of the treatment groups were significantly different from the control,eucerin,and phenytoin groups in a positive manner with regard to all studied factors(P 0.05).However,the best results were observed with the S.ebulus(2%) and the combination 2% groups(P 0.05).Conclusions:Topical ointments prepared from the extracts of U.dioica and S.ebulus and their combination possess strong wound healing properties.It is postulated that a synergistic effect may exist between the two extracts since the combination 2% showed better results than the sole extracts.
文摘Objective:To investigate the antioxidant ef ect of an orally administered ethanol extract of nettle(Urtica dioica) and its protective role in preventing or ameliorating oxidative stress as a major factor in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided into 4 equal groups:(G1) control group,(G2) gentamicin treated group(100 mg/kg),(G3) nettle treated group(100 mg/kg),(G4) combination treated group with both gentamicin(100 mg/kg) and nettle(100 mg/kg) for 10 days. The antioxidant properties of nettle were evaluated using dif erent antioxidant tests, such as determination of glutathione and malondialdehyde levels and total phenolic content analysis. Results: Biochemical and histopathological study revealed that gentamicin caused nephrotoxicity observed clearly in the histopathological section of the kidney in the gentamicin treated group. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were biochemical indicators for nephrotoxicity which increased signii cantly in gentamicin treated group; other groups have no signii cant change in these two parameters. Nettle extract protected the rabbits from alteration in the level of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine when given after inducing of gentamicin nephrotoxicity. The nettle treated group showed a great ef ect as an antioxidant factor by increasing the glutathione level and reducing malondialdehyde level. No signii cant changes in biochemical parameters and no renal histopathological changes observed in the groups treated with nettle extract, which meant nettle had powerful antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be assumed that the nephroprotective ef ect shown by nettle in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity can reserve intracellular levels of biological pathways and supportively enhance excretion of toxic levels of gentamicin.
文摘Antioxidants are free radical scavengers found in spices which may play a significant role in preventing cell death. Allspice is a dried unripe berry obtained from the Pimento dioica plant that may have antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of allspice using selected assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Nitric Oxide (NO) and Oxygen Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of allspice were determined using both water and methanol extraction. A comparison of antioxidant activity of water and methanol extracts of allspice was conducted using the different assays (DPPH, TEAC, NO, ORAC and FRAP). The total phenolic content (6.9%), NO scavenging (38.8%) and ORAC (35.1%) activity were higher in methanol compared to water extracts of allspice while flavonoids (57%), FRAP (11.2%), and TEAC (1.82%) were higher in water extracts compared to methanol extracts of allspice. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. The IC50 (DPPH), FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC activity were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. Total flavonoid content, FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.5) in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. This shows that allspice has antioxidant potential and that the method of extraction can play a crucial role on the number of phytochemicals extracted from the plant. Utilization of allspice in food products may provide additional functional properties.
文摘Background: Urtica dioica L. is a common Himalayan species which produces allergenic substances causing oedema and inflammation in humans. It has become a source of folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases. The leaves and roots both are used internally as a blood purifier and diuretic and an infusion of the plant is used for nasal and menstrual haemorrhage, diabetes, rheumatism, eczema, anaemia, hair loss, as an expectorant and antidiarrhoeal. Present study includes pharmacognostic evaluation, antioxidant activity and HPTLC analysis of Urtica dioica L. Methods: Pharmacognostic evaluation of aerial part of U. dioica has been performed as per Indian pharmacopoeia. In-vitro antioxidant evaluation of U. dioica has been performed using DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Ferulic acid, a potential phenolic antioxidant present in this species, has been studied through HPTLC. Results: U. dioica hydro-alcoholic extract shows positive results for antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 88.33 ± 2.88 μg/ml. Standard ascorbic acid showed IC50 value of 2.8 ± 0.62 μg/ml. Ferulic acid was identified at Rf 0.61 ± 0.01 and quantified to 0.73% in this species through CAMAG HPTLC analysis. Conclusion: The pharmacognostical parameters reported can be considered as quality standards of U. dioica in herbal industry. Hydro-alcoholic extract of U. dioica showed positive in vitro antioxidant activity. Presence of phenolic compound suggests that antioxidant activity may be due to ferulic acid content.
文摘Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.is a climber of the Cucurbitaceae family mainly found in tropical Asia.The fruit is widely consumed as a vegetable and different parts of this plant are used in the traditional medicine to treat various types of human ailments.In this review,we critically analyzed and presented the scientific studies on T.dioica available in three electronic databases viz.PubMed,Web of Science and Google Scholar.Our aim was to find the scientific basis of the traditional use to understand the plant’s potential in therapy.Studies have found promising antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic,antitumor,cytotoxic,arsenic poisoning ameliorative,anti-inflammatory,antidiarrheal,and varieties of pharmacological activities of T.dioica.Different types of bioactive compounds have been identified and isolated from T.dioica including peptides namely trichosanthin and lectin;a number of triterpenes like cucurbitacin B,euphol,α-amyrin,-amyrin,lupeol,taraxerol,betulin,and karounidiol;sterols,steroidal saponin,tannin,flavonoids etc.T.dioica contains a number of well-known bioactive phytochemicals and the plant has shown an array of pharmacological activities in vivo.This review will expand our understanding of the therapeutic potential of T.dioica and their phytochemical basis which may help in further research on this species.
文摘Urtica dioica is a perennial herb from the family of Urticaceae that is commonly known as stinging nettle.This plant is widespread in Europe,Africa,America,and a part of Asia,as it adapts to different environments and climatic condi-tions.The leaves,stalk,and bark of U.dioica found applications in the field of nutrition,cosmetics,textile,pest control and pharmacology.In this connection,bioactive chemical constituents such as flavonoids,phenolic acids,amino acids,carotenoids,and fatty acids have been isolated from the plant.With this review,we aim at providing an updated and comprehensive overview of the contributions in literature reporting computational,in vitro,pre-clinical and clini-cal data supporting the therapeutic applications of U.dioica.Experimental evidence shows that U.dioica constituents and extracts can provide neuroprotective effects by acting through a combination of different molecular mecha-nisms,that are discussed in the review.These findings could lay the basis for the identification and design of more effective tools against neurodegenerative diseases.
基金supported by the DST-FIST grant SR/FST/LS-I/2018/131 to the Department of Zoology。
文摘Objective: The high transmission rate and mutations of SARS-Co V-2 have made it a global pandemic, and the shortage of any effective clinical treatment has created such a commotion. There are some synthetic antiviral drugs, such as remdesivir and lopinavir that are being repurposed to treat SARS-Co V-2, but all of these demonstrate extreme side effects in humans. Hence, promoting herbal-based drug development has become crucial as they are cost-effective and have lesser or no side effects. Urtica dioica is abundant in the Himalayan region and the compounds present in it have shown significant antiviral and anti-SARS activity. Therefore, molecular docking studies were performed to identify SARS-Co V-2 spike protein inhibitors from U. dioica to combat the COVID-19 disease. Materials and Methods: Compounds from U. dioica were screened using the bioinformatic approach, and subsequently, these compounds were docked with the S1 subunit of the COVID-19 spike protein(PDB ID: 6YOR). Molecular docking was carried out using the Py Rx software(0.8 version) and further examined by employing the Discovery Studio Visualizer. Results: About all the selected compounds showed significant binding energy(e.g., beta-sitosterol:-10.3 kcal/mol) in contrast to the control chloroquine phosphate. This binding was observed with the spike protein residues that were common in the old strain and the more contagious newly modified B.1.1.7 strain of SARS-Co V-2. Conclusions: Thus, our study can be used in effective drug development against SARS-Co V-2 and its mutant strains also.
文摘The anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum ( Brandenburger and Schvinn) G. Deml. and Oberw.) causes a systematic infection of its host Silene dioica ( L.) Clairv., resulting in sterility and production of teliospores (dispersal propagules) in flowers. These spores are transmitted to healthy plants mainly by flower visitors. The behavioral responses of flower visitors to a variation in floral characters are not only likely to affect rates of pollen export/import, but also the rate of spore deposition and probability of disease. In a transplantation experiment, using plants from four different populations, we tested for correlation between variation in female floral morphology and patterns of spore and pollen deposition, and a resulting risk of disease. The source populations in this experiment were located on four islands in Skeppsvik archipelago in northern Sweden, and represented a gradient of disease incidence from completely healthy ( Island 1), low incidence ( Island 2) to high incidences ( Islands 3 and 4) of disease. Fifty plants from each population were transplanted to the center, of the population on Island 4. There were significant differences among the transplants in floral characters, i.e. corolla size, style length and ovule number. Plants from the non-diseased population had larger flowers and longer styles than plants from the highly diseased populations. Numbers of pollen grains and spores deposited on flowers were strongly and positively correlated. We found that plants originating from the non-diseased population captured approximately 4 times more pollen and 9 times more spores, per flower than die individuals from the resident population (Island 4, population 4). The incidences of disease among plants, from the four populations differed significantly, and was 37%, 20%, 18% and 0 for populations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. In a survey of ten populations we found a significant negative correlation between the mean style length ( positively correlated with corolla size and ovule number) among healthy
基金Supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA23050401)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2017YFE0111100)+2 种基金the National Key Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No.2015CB452903)the Science and Technology Service Network(STS)(No.Y82346101L)the Taishan Scholars Project to SUN Song。
文摘Planktonic Oikopleura dioica respond almost instantly to opportunistic algal blooms,but it is unknown whether the population increase can change from an exponential to a logistic model to avoid a final sudden collapse.To test the hypothesis that intraspecific competition regulates the intrinsic rate of natural increase(r),density-dependent effects on growth and reproduction performance were investigated in O.dioica via laboratory incubations.Over a large food concentration range,batch maturation was observed above the per capita food supply(PFS)of 8.1µgC/ind.in 4.5 d.Somatic growth was saturated beyond this PFS value,whereas gonad length increased continuously.Below this threshold,individuals reached small body and gonad lengths,and maturation was rarely observed during the incubation period.The gonad/body volume and maturation ratios also increased with the PFS.Instead of the food concentration,the r values were regulated by competition pressure via variability in maturation duration and the proportion of mature individuals in the cohorts.When the minimum food demand was satisfied in the designated generation time,the r value tended to be regulated by the spawning proportion in the population.Otherwise,prolonged development duration and decreased r values were expected.
文摘The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica were collected within three replications from different locations: Biare 1,090 masl (meters above sea level), Tawile 1,450 masl and Awiser 1,680 masl. The aerial parts of Viola and Melissa were collected randomly within three replications at different locations: Biare 1,090 masl, Degashikhan 1,250 masl and Tawile 1,450 masl. The extracts of the aerial parts of these species were purified by filtrations for several times in preparation for HPLC analyses. The chromatograms of Urtica indicated the presence of five major important alkaloid components (fragrine, benzylisoquinoline, scopoletin, glucoquinone and dotriacotaine) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). All the concentrations of alkaloid and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of alkaloid dotriacotaine. The chromatograms of Viola indicated the presence of four major important alkaloid components (violine, isoquinoline, cycloviolacin and luteolin-3-glucoronide) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). The results of the influence of altitudes showed that the concentrations of all alkaloids and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of the alkaloid luteolin-3-glucoronide and the phenolic compounds zeaxanthin and luetin epoxide. The chromatograms of Melissa indicated the presence of five major essential oils (pinene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol and rosmarinic acid). Their quantitative evaluations were influenced by altitudes indicating that the conce
文摘Background:Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symp-toms(LUTS)in older men.Nowadays,there are several plant extracts used for the treatment of LUTS due to BPH.Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the effect of combining silodosin 8 mg with Serenoa repens,Urtica dioica,Cucurbita pepo(Rotaprost 530 mg)compared to silodosin 8 mg and Rotaprost 530 mg alone in patients with LUTS/BPH.Methods:Four hundred five men with symptomatic BPH were recruited for the study from June 2020 to Jan-uary 2021.Three hundred eighty-nine patients were followed up for 6 months.All participants provided writ-ten informed consent.This prospective study included analysis of three treatment groups:Group I patients(n=130)received a combination of silodosin 8 mg and Rotaprost 530 mg(containing a dry extract of Serenoa repens 80 mg,a dry extract of Urtica dioica 150 mg,a dry extract of Cucurbita pepo seeds 200 mg,zinc(in the form of zinc picolinate)0.105 mg,and selenium(as sodium selenite)22.5μg);the group II(n=129)re-ceived silodosin 8 mg alone,and the group III(n=130)received Rotaprost 530 mg alone.Outcomes were measured by changes from baseline in International Prostate Symptom Score(IPPS)total score,PSA value,prostate volume,residual urine after urination,and maximum flow rate.Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results:In group I,IPSS,prostate volume,and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)improved significantly(P<0.05)compared with groups II and III during follow-up.Prostate volume in group I showed a significant decrease only during 6 months of therapy(P<0.05).No serious adverse effects were registered in the three groups.Conclusion:Combination therapy with silodosin 8 mg significantly reduced LUTS/BPH,Qmax,and prostate volume compared with silodosin 8 mg alone.Rotaprost 530 mg can also reduce PSA by at least 20.6−25.7%after 6-months of treatment.