Two new secolignans with in vitro anti-inflammatory activities from Urtica fissa rhizomes

The medicinal chemistry of Urtica dioica L.: from preliminary evidence to clinical studies supporting its neuroprotective activity

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 conditions. 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 clinical 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 mechanisms, that are discussed in the review. These findings could lay the basis for the identification and design of more effective tools against neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of 3, 4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran from Urtica fissa on sexual dysfunction in diabetic mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Urtica fissa E. Pritz. are important herbs and have been traditionally used as ethnic medicine to treat rheumatism, inflammation, diabetes, and benign prostatic hyperplasia by the Han, Uighur, and other minorities in China, and also as an aphrodisiac in Uighur medicine.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To determine the effect and potential mechanism of 3, 4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran (DVTF), one of the main active components isolated from U. fissa on hypogonadism in diabetic mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The active compound DVTF was extracted and separated from the roots of U. fissa and identified using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A mouse model of diabetes was established using high fat and sugar diet combined with streptozotocin. In the treatment groups, mice were received different doses of DVTF for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels, physiological and biochemical indices, and the mating behavior of DM mice were analyzed. Changes in testicular morphology were assessed using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of testosterone synthesis-related signaling proteins was detected using western blotting. Molecular docking was used to determine the binding ability of DVTF to Nur77.

RESULTS

In diabetic mice, body weight and fasting blood glucose levels decreased. Mating behavior, including mount latency, mount number, and intromission number, was improved following DVTF treatment. Plasma total testosterone, free testosterone, and insulin resistance were positively associated with the recovery of testicular pathological structures in diabetic mice. DVTF treatment increased the expression of Nur77, StAR, and P450scc in the testes of diabetic mice. DVTF and Nur77 formed chemical bonds at five sites.

CONCLUSION

As one of the main active components of U. fissa, DVTF exert potential therapeutic effects on testicular injury and hypogonadism caused by diabetes through activating the expression of Nur77 and testosterone synthesis related proteins. Our result will provide new insight for the clinical application of Urtica fissa E. Pritz., especially DVTF, as a potential drug candidate in the treatment of hypogonadism in diabetes.

Analgesic alkaloids from Urticae Fissae Herba

Objective

To investigate the analgesic substances in the aerial part of Urtica fissa (Urticae Fissae Herba), commonly used for rheumatoid and rheumatism arthritis.

Methods

The analgesic constituents were isolated with the active guidance of hot plate and acetic acid writhing models, and identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.

Results

Thirteen alkaloids (1–13), two lignans (14, 15), and three amides (16–18) were isolated from the active fractions. Among them, compound 1 was a new alkaloid, and compound 6 was a new natural product. The activity evaluation in vivo indicated that various pyrrole alkaloids (1, 3, 6, and 12) possessed significant analgesic activities, they could significantly inhibit the mice pain response induced by acetic acid and hot plate at the dosage of 2 mg/kg BW.

Conclusion

The study revealed that the pyrrole alkaloids played important roles in the analgesic activities of Urticae Fissae Herba.

Thicker Shell Eggs with Enriched N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Lower Yolk Cholesterol Contents, as Affected by Dietary Nettle (Urtica cannabina) Supplementation in Laying Hens

Simple Summary

The nettle Urticacannabina (U. cannabina) belongs to the Urticaceae (nettle) family in the major group Angiosperms (flowering plants); it is distributed worldwide in temperate regions. While it was previously considered to be a weed, increasing evidence suggests that it is a valuable nutrient resource and has multiple biological functions when included in both human and animal diets. U. cannabina was given to laying hens in this experiment to study its effect on the hens’ performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and serum biochemical parameters. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with U. cannabina has the potential to produce high-quality eggs. The data collected in this experiment can be used to inform further use of this plant to improve the lipid profile and fatty acid composition of eggs produced by hens fed on U. cannabina.

Abstract

The nettle Urticacannabina (U.cannabina) is not only a functional edible food for humans but also a potential alternative feed resource for poultry, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary U.cannabina on the production of high-quality eggs with enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower cholesterol contents. One hundred and twenty laying hens were assigned to three groups [control, 15% alfalfa meal supplementation (TRTA), and 15% U.cannabina supplementation (TRTU)]. The results showed that the feed intake, yolk color, and shell thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the U.cannabina group. Moreover, cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum were lower in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.05). The total n-3 PUFA concentration in the yolk was increased while the ratio of n-6/n-3 was reduced in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of U.cannabina increased shell thickness, yolk n-3 PUFA levels, and yolk color, and reduced cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum without any negative impacts on health or laying performance.

Hypouricemic Effects of Extracts from Urtica hyperborea Jacq. ex Wedd. in Hyperuricemia Mice through XOD, URAT1, and OAT1

Urtica L. has been long used for gout in traditional Tibetan medicine and is closely related to the effect of reducing uric acid. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Urtica hyperborea Jacq. ex Wedd. (UW) on lowering uric acid and its mechanism by using HK2 cells and hyperuricemia mouse model. Petroleum ether extract (UWP), ethyl acetate extract (UWE), n-butanol extract (UWB), and alcohol-soluble extract (UWA) from UW were prepared, and HK2 cells were treated with various parts extracts to observe the expression of uric acid transporter at 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL for 24 h. Moreover, hyperuricemia mice were administered orally various parts extracts at 0.78 and 2.34 g/kg (crude drug dose converted by extraction rate) to observe the change of hepatic XOD, serum ADA, renal function, and uric acid transporter. In vitro experiments showed that UWA can remarkably elevate OAT1 expression and decrease URAT1 expression in HK2 cells. In vivo experiments showed that UWP, UWE, UWB, and UWA showed remarkable activity in reducing uric acid, rendering a substantial decline in the SUA level in hyperuricemia mice. Compared with the hyperuricemia and allopurinol groups, UWB and UWA had significant protective effects on renal injury. At the same time, UWA can significantly reduce the activity of XOD and ADA, reduce the expression of URAT1, and increase the expression of OAT1. These results indicated that UWA had an outstanding uric acid lowering effect and did not affect renal function. This may be related to increased uric acid excretion and decreased uric acid production, mediated by renal OAT1, URAT1, liver XOD, and serum ADA. UWA may be a potential drug against hyperuricemia.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Lindera aggregata and their biological activities

Three new benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, (1'S)-12'-hydroxyl-linderegatine (1), (1S)-5'-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl norreticuline (2), (1R, 1'R)-11,11'-biscoclaurine (3), along with 18 known compounds were isolated from the roots of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The absolute configurations of three new compounds were determined by comparing their experimental and calculated ECD for the first time. Compounds (4) and (9) showed cytotoxic activities against human colon carcinoma cell line (HCT-116), with IC₅₀ values of 51.4 and 27.1 μM, respectively. Furthermore, compounds (10) and (11) showed inhibitory activities on nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 37.8 and 38.7 μM, respectively.

The chemical constituents with cytotoxicity from Urtica fissa seed

Phytochemical investigation of Urtica fissa seed led to the isolation of a new secolignan (1) and a new glycoalkaloid (2), together with 16 known compounds (3-18). The subsequent active evaluation indicated that two lignans (1, 12), two ceramides (3, 4), and the glycoalkaloid (2) possessed the significant cytotoxicity. They could obviously inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells HeLa and CCRF-CEM cells, with IC₅₀ values as low as 1.5 μM.

New lignans from Urticae Fissae Herba

Two new lignans named neourticol A (1) and neourticol B (2), together with seven known compounds (3-9), were isolated from Urticae Fissae Herba, a folk medicine for rheumatism arthritis in China. The active evaluation results showed that 1 and 2 possessed the potent anti-complement and anti-inflammatory activities.

The active glycosides from Urtica fissa rhizome decoction

Using bioassay guided fractionation, 16 glycosides, including two new compounds (1 and 2), were isolated from the anticomplement and anti-inflammatory portion of an Urtica fissa rhizome decoction used for arthritis. Several compounds were found to possess significant anticomplement and anti-inflammatory activities. This study revealed that glycosides played an important role in the therapeutic effects of Urtica fissa rhizome.