Benefits of Stinging Nettle Extract to Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Journal of Rheumatology. April 2002, published a report about a study of the immmunosuppressant effect of IDS 30, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on myeloid dendritic cells in vitro. Based from the findings of this study, the dendritic cells are important antigen presenting cells that play a role in the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The stinging nettle leaf extract IDS 30 (Hox alpha) has prevented the maturation of dendritic cells leading to reduced induction of primary T cell responses. This suggests that the stinging nettle IDS 30 extract can contribute to the therapeutic effect on T cell mediated inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. [1]
Anti-Oxidative Stress Benefit of Stinging Nettle Extract
The Pakistan Journal of Biological Science January 2012 issue reported a study on the effects of hydro alcoholic nettle (Urtica dioica) extract on oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. In this study the hydro alcoholic nettle has demonstrated that after 8 weeks of treatment, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxidant dismutase (SOD) showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The findings showed that the hydro alcoholic extract of nettle has increasing effects on TAC and SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes without changes in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxides (GPX) after eight weeks intervention. [2]
Arnica and Stinging Nettle Burn Healing Effects
The Journal in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, September 2011 issue has reported a self experimentation study on the effects of arnica and stinging nettle gel for burns. The study compared the effects of Combudoron, a gel composed of extracts from arnica and stinging nettle, to that of a placebo in treating laser induced burns. Results have shown that the eschars of the verum-treated burns fell off earlier than the placebo-treated burns. The study concluded that Combudoron seems to have positive effects on healing of grade 2 laser induced burns and recommended further investigation. [3]
Stinging Nettle Extract: Benefits for Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever.
In Phytotherapy Research of July 2009, A study has been reported that investigated the benefits of stinging nettle extract on the key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. The study has shown that stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) extract shows in vitro inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. These include the antagonist and negative agonist activity against the Histamine-1 (H(1)) receptor and the inhibition of mast cell tryptase preventing degranulation and release of a host of pro-inflammatory mediators that cause the symptoms of hay fevers.
Stinging Nettle Benefits for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 2005 reported a study investigating Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. It has been found that patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that underwent stinging nettle treatment for 6 months demonstrated an improved urinary flow rate, lower postvoid residual urine volume and smaller prostate gland size. The benefits of stinging nettle treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia have been confirmed but further investigation was also suggested. [4]
Anti-Ulcer, Antimicrobial, Anti-oxidant and Analgesic Benefits from Nettle.
The Journal of Ethnopharmacology, February 2004 has reported that a study was done in Turkey that investigated the health benefits of stinging nettle water extract. It has been found that stinging nettle has powerful antioxidant activity against a variety of free radical scavenging compounds. The water extract of stinging nettle has antimicrobial effects against nine identified microorganisms at the same time has demonstrated protective benefits against ethanol-induced ulcerogenesis. It also demonstrated analgesic activity against acetic acid-induced strethching. [4]
Effects of Stinging Nettle Extract on Chronic Colitis
The International Journal of Colorectal Disease. (2005 Jan) reported a study that investigated the effects of stinging nettle extract - IDS 30 on chronic colitis. Results have shown that in murine colitis model, IDS 30 reduced significantly the signs of colitis when compared to untreated animals. The study concluded that the long-term use of IDS 30 is effective in the prevention of chronic murine colitis. This effect seems to be due to a decrease in the Th1 response and may be a new therapeutic option for prolonging remission in inflammatory bowel disease.