Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF‐κB.

Riehemann Kristina, Behnke Bert, Schulze-Osthoff Klaus
FEBS letters, 1999

Abstract

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 stinging nettle (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. Here we demonstrate that treatment of different cells with IDS23 potently inhibits NF-kappaB activation. An inhibitory effect was observed in response to several stimuli, suggesting that IDS23 suppressed a common NF-kappaB pathway. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by IDS23 was not mediated by a direct modification of DNA binding, but rather by preventing degradation of its inhibitory subunit IkappaB-alpha. Our results suggests that part of the antiinflammatory effect of Urtica extract may be ascribed to its inhibitory effect on NF-kappaB activation.

Keywords

Antiinflammatory, Nuclear factor κB, Rheumatoid arthritis, Stinging nettle extract, Transcription factor, Urtica dioica L.

Abbreviations

AP-1, activator protein-1, EMSA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, IL, interleukin, LPS, lipopolysaccharide, NF-κB, nuclear factor κB, PMA, phorbol myristyl acetate, ROI, reactive oxygen intermediate, tk, thymidine kinase, TNF, tumor necrosis factor

Articles similar to "Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF‐κB."

• The role of Urtica Dioica in Arthritis / Joint Pain: Evidence for Antirheumatic Effectiveness of Herba Urticae Dioicae in Acute Arthritis: A Pilot Study. (Forty individuals suffering from an acute arthritis took part in an open randomized study comparing the effects of 50 mg diclofenac plus stewed Herba Urticae dioicae (stinging nettles) with 200 mg diclofenac...)
• The impact of Urtica Dioica on Arthritis / Joint Pain: Botanical Extracts From Rosehip (Rosa Canina), Willow Bark (Salix Alba), and Nettle Leaf (Urtica Dioica) Suppress IL-1β-Induced NF-κB Activation in Canine Articular Chondrocytes. (The aim of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory mode of action of botanical extracts from rosehip (Rosa canina), willow bark (Salix alba), and nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) in an in vitro model of primary canine articular chondrocytes...)

Previous article

Polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant properties in mango fruits.

Next article

An unusual lectin from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) rhizomes.