Journal of Medicinal Plants (May 2007)
Anti-inflammatory Effect of Alcoholic Stinging Nettle Extract in Male NMRI Rats
Abstract
Background: Regarding side effects of acute and especially chronic inflammation and incomplete treatment of patients who suffering from these side effects, the new and affective strategies are needed. Objective: For this purpose in the present study, we scientifically evaluate an introduced folk herb Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), for treatment of inflammation. Method: The control and treatment groups (rats which received the extract) were subjected to four methods in order to measure the inflammation: 1) Following production of inflammation by injection of formalin in hind paw, evance blue dye was injected to circulation and due to cutting the paws in border of wrist, they segmented to number parts. These segments set-aside in aceton+sodium sulfate sulotion for 24 hour in room temperature. Finally the light absorption of the santrifuged sulotion was measured as the data. In 2 and 3 methods respectively xylene and acetic acid were applied to ear and peritoneum. However, light absorption of the solution separated from ear segments solution and fluid of the peritoneum was read as the data. In 4th method the difference in weight of cottons which implanted in groin border of rats, before and after 7 days were compared in control and treatment groups. Results: Statistical analysis has shown a significant difference between rate of inflammation in control and treatment groups. The extract in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg could reduce inflammation produced by formalin 34.52 ± 2.2 (p < 0.001) and 22.71 ± 2.1 % (p < 0.05) respectively. The dose of 100 mg/kg could nearly diminish inflammation 35.48 ± 1.2 % (p < 0.05) in the inflamed ears. However, three doses of the extract (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg) have significant effect on peritonitis produced by acetic acid application in peritoneum. These effects calculated as 21.45 ± 2.1 (p < 0.05), 35.55 ± 2.2 and 27.49 ± 1.8 % (p < 0.001) respectively. Finally, our finding on chronic pain showed that the extract in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg could alleviate the inflammation 24.08 ± 2.1 and 19.04 ± 04 % respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that alcoholic Urtica dioica extract could markedly reduce the chronic and acute inflammation.
