Download Common Nettle

Common Nettle
BOTANY
Urtica dioica L. It is commonly known as common nettle. It belongs to the Urticaceae family. The plant
grows from 60 to 150 cm high and has a winter hard rhizome. The leaves are opposite, oblong-cordate
and roughly serrate. The whole plant is covered in stinging hairs. The flowers are greenish-white in
axillary, clustered, hanging panicles. The flowers are dioecious. The fruit is a small 1-seeded nutlet. The
plant is common in most temperate regions of the world.
Common nettle extract is produced from the leaves of Urtica dioica L.
CHEMISTRY
Proteins
Common nettle contains large quantities of nitrogenous substances, due to the high protein content (56% in the fresh plant; 23-24% in the dry plant); 70% of these quantities are digestible proteins.
All the essential aminoacids have been found in the extract of U.dioica. Amines like acetylcholine,
histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine have been identified in the fluid of the nettle hairs, acetylcholine and
histamine were also found in the leaves.
Vitamins
The most abundant vitamin is vitamin C (20-60 mg/100g of dry material). Vitamin K content is 0.16-0.64
mg/100g. Other vitamins found in the leaves are vitamin B2, panthotenic acid and folic acid.
Flavonoids
Glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol and rhamnetin.
Phenol acids
Caffeic acid, carbonic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid and formic acid.
Essential oil
In the aerial part, an essential oil is present which contains ketones (2-methyl-2-hepten-6-one,
acetophenone, and ethylketone; 38.5%), esters (14.7%), free alcohols (2%), traces of nitrogenous
substances, phenols and aldehydes.
Other active principles
V 01-01/07
44190,44200,61300,7442700I-1
Exclusive N.A. Distributor
CENTERCHEM, INC. NORWALK, CT
Ph: 203-822-9800 Fax: 203-822-9820
www.centerchem.com
Chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids (β-carotene, xanthophyll, lycopene, and violaxanthine ) mineral salts,
phytosterols and fatty acids.
TRADITIONAL USES
The whole plant have been used traditionally as anti-asthmatic, anti-dandruff, astringent, depurative,
diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic. An infusion of the plant is
very valuable in stemming internal bleeding; it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation,
haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used
to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, hair problems, etc.
COSMETIC PROPERTIES
Anti-inflammatory activity
Activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB is elevated in several chronic inflammatory diseases and is
responsible for the enhanced expression of many proinflammatory gene products. Extracts from leaves
of Urtica dioica are used as antiinflammatory remedies in rheumatoid arthritis. Standardized preparations
of these extracts (IDS23) suppress cytokine production, but their mode of action remains unclear.
Riehemann K et al (1999) made a study the results of which suggested that part of the antiinflammatory
effect of Urtica extract may be ascribed to its inhibitory effect on NF-kappaB activation.
Obertreis B et al (1996) made a study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of U.dioica folia extract.
Urtica dioica extract is traditionally used as an adjuvant therapeutic in rheumatoid arthritis. The
antiphlogistic effects of the urtica dioica folia extract IDS 23 (Extractum Urticae dioicae foliorum) and the
main phenolic ingredients were tested concerning the inhibitory potential on biosynthesis of arachidonic
acid meta-bolites in vitro. Concerning the 5-lipoxygenase products IDS 23 showed a partial inhibitory
effect. The isolated phenolic acids inhibited the synthesis of the leukotriene B4 in a concentration
dependent manner. IDS 23 showed a strong concentration dependent inhibition of the synthesis of
cyclooxygenase derived reactions. The antiphlogistic effects observed in vitro may give an explanation
for the pharmacological and clinical effects of IDS 23 in therapy of rheumatoid diseases.
Therefore, common nettle extract is recommendable to formulate cosmetic products with anti-irritant
activity.
Antioxidant activity
Kanter M et al (2003) designed a study to investigate the effects Nigella sativa L. (NS) and Urtica dioica
L. (UD) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and some liver enzymes in carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. The CCl4 treatment for 45 days increased the lipid peroxidation and
liver enzymes, and also decreased the antioxidant enzyme levels. NS or UD treatments (alone or
combination) for 45 days starting day 46 decreased the elevated lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme
levels and also increased the reduced antioxidant enzyme levels. It is concluded that NS and UD
decreased the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and increase the antioxidant defence system activity
in the CCl4-treated rats.
Cetinus E et al (2005) made a study to evaluate the potential role of Urtica dioica (UD) leaves for
prevention of oxidative stress in muscle tissue generated by tourniquet application in rats.
Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured to determinate the oxidative stress of the muscle tissue.
MDA levels were lower in the UD-treated rats then those in untreated and KCl-treated rats. These results
indicate that UD has a potential antioxidant effect.
Therefore, common nettle extract is useful to formulate cosmetic products for the protection of the skin
and hair integrity against oxidative processes.
V 01-01/07
44190,44200,61300,7442700I-2
Finally, we should mention that the publication Plants preparations used as ingredients of cosmetic
products. Vol I.( Council of Europe, 1994) has a monographs of the aqueous dry extract and the glycolic
extract of the aerial part of Urtica dioica. This monograph attributes to this plant the following intended
cosmetic effects:
•
•
hair conditioning, antidandruff (traditional), tonic, sebostatic, dye (chlorophyll)
up to 10% in tonic products for hair and scalp
other possible effects: stimulant, haemostatic, astringent
COSMETIC APPLICATIONS
Action
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Active
Phenol acids
-
Cosmetic Application
-Anti-irritant
-Anti-ageing
-Photo-protection
-Hair color protection
RECOMMENDED DOSE
The recommended dose is between 0.5% and 5.0%.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P. Urtica dioica L. Fitoterapia, 1997; 68(5): 387-402 (ref. 2408).
Cetinus E, Kilinc M, Inanc F, Kurutas EB, Buzkan N. The role of urtica dioica (urticaceae) in the
prevention of oxidative stress caused by tourniquet application in rats. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2005 Mar 205(3):215-21.
Council of Europe. Plants preparations used as ingredients of cosmetic products. Strasbourg Cedex:
Council of Europe Publishing, 1994; p: 234-235 (61*8 PAT).
Kanter M, Meral I, Dede S, Gunduz H, Cemek M, Ozbek H, Uygan I. Effects of Nigella sativa L. and
Urtica dioica L. on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and some liver enzymes in CCl4treated rats. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 2003; 50(5): 264-8.
Obertreis B, Giller K, Teucher T, Behnke B, Schmitz H. Anti-inflammatory effect of Urtica dioica folia
extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung, 1996; 46(1): 52-6.
Riehemann K, Behnke B, Schulze-Osthoff K. Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an
antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB. FEBS Lett.,1999;
442(1): 89-94.
Websites:
www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb130.htm [accessed January 2007].
V 01-01/07
44190,44200,61300,7442700I-3