- Contains many bioactive substances
- Exhibits anti-inflammatory activity
- Has antioxidant activity
- Exhibits hypoglycemic properties
- Reduces symptoms of seasonal allergies
- Has chemopreventive properties
- Influences the level of sex hormones
- Regulates lipid metabolism
- Strengthens the immune system
Now Foods Stinging Nettle Root Extract is a supplement containingStinging Nettle Root Extract (Urtica dioica L.). Many clinical studies confirm its benefits for the treatment of modern conditions, including the treatment of diabetes, chemoprevention, arthritis, allergies, and mild prostatic hyperplasia and other urological conditions.
Common nettle has tremendous medicinal potential, which has been described since ancient times. Research in recent years proves that the plant and the substances it contains have strong antioxidant, anti-aggregation, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects. These properties make nettle increasingly popular, and new preventive and therapeutic applications are constantly being sought for its possible use in a wide range of diseases and ailments.
Nettleroot is abundant in many biologically active compounds, thanks to which it is considered one of the most valued raw materials used in phytotherapy. It contains organic acids (ursolic, oleanolic, hydroxybenzoic, gentisic, quinic, coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, 5-O cavoylquinic), flavonoids (rutin, amentoflavone, quercetin glycoside), tannins (tannins), saccharides (glucan, glucogalacturonans, arabinogalactans), fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic), sterols (sitosterols and b-sitosterols), phytoestrogens (lignans) and many organic compounds (scopoletin, esculetin, ceramides, sphingosine, isolectins, monoterpenoids, triterpenes, homovanillin alcohol).
Anti-allergic effect
Due to the content of active compounds, including tyrosine derivatives, which exhibit antihistaminic activity, nettle preparations are used in allergic diseases. In studies, nettle extracts have been proven to have enzyme inhibitory properties of several important inflammatory reactions that cause seasonal allergy symptoms.
The anti-cancer properties of nettle extracts, which are used in supporting the treatment of prostate cancer, are most likely due to the action of phytoestrogens contained in it. These compounds show the ability to level SHGB (sex hormone-binding globulin), which is a transport protein for testosterone and estradiol, and regulates the action of androgens. The roots of this plant have a high content of phytoestrogens (lignans), which interact with SHGB to increase active hormone levels and reduce prostate hypertrophy.
Hormone management
Lectins and polysaccharides contained in nettle root have properties that inhibit excessive activity of aromatase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. Such activity can be helpful as an adjunct to cycles using anabolic-androgenic agents. In addition, phytoestrogens have the ability to level the concentration of SHGB, a protein that binds sex hormones and renders them inactive. This property may prove useful in regulating deficient sex hormone disorders.
Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties
Numerous studies show that nettle extracts have beneficial effects on selected cardiovascular risk factors. Such effects have been proven in both diabetic and healthy individuals. The use of nettle root preparations can influence the reduction of blood glucose, cholesterol and lipid levels. In addition, a number of studies provide evidence that extracts from this plant increase insulin secretion and tissue sensitivity to its action. These properties make nettle preparations successful in supporting the treatment of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
The antioxidant effect of common nettle has been confirmed on the basis of evidence compiled from the results of many scientific studies. It is believed to be due to its high content of biologically active compounds, primarily phenolic compounds. It is believed that the action of Urtica dioica L. extracts prevents the formation of oxygen free radicals or contributes to their removal from the body, through the effective action of antioxidant enzymes.
Common nettle root extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. This is because it contains inhibitors of enzymes that destroy articular cartilage (leukocyte elastase) and enzymes responsible for the formation of mediators of inflammatory processes (cyclooxygenase) and ͙5-lipoxygenase, whose activity increases sharply in inflammation. Polysaccharides isolated from the root extracts stimulate T lymphocytes and the complement system, thus increasing immunity. These properties have found use in the treatment of arthritis
In conclusion, Stinging Nettle Root Extract is a health-promoting dietary supplement that can be used for allergies, relieving inflammation, supporting the treatment of type II diabetes and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Stinging Nettle Root Extract is characterized by a high content of compounds that can provide a source of deficiency components, which are essential for many metabolic pathways and transformations occurring in the body.
