Nettle Fruits and Seeds http://www.ryandrum.com/threeherbs1.htm
Nettle fruits and seeds are used variously for recreation and therapy (see: Treasure, J. 2003). I recommend 5-20 grams/cc of fresh green nettle fruits chewed thoroughly as a very refreshing stimulant. I suspect that my great feel good responses to eating a few grams of fresh nettle shoots and leaves in Spring and later, in Summer, eating raw nettle fruits, are caused by the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin. Acetylcholine is the most abundant neurotransmitter in our brains. Maybe a little bit extra from eating nettle provides a dash of manufacturing cost relief. Caution, drinking a decoction of 30 grams fresh nettle fruits in 12 ounces water can induce 12-36 hours of wide-eyed wakefulness.
Jim McDonald writes "Anima medicine woman Kiva Rose has likewise used nettle seed as a restorative tonic with excellent results, using either the green seeds eaten directly or as a tincture. She shares that Nettle seed “promotes a sense of clarity, wellness, heightened energy levels, reduced stress and seemingly increased lung capacity. They are especially effective for those suffering from severe burnout, resulting in profound fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain and alternating feelings of depression and intense anxiety. Nettle seed can lessen all of these symptoms, and sometimes eliminate them completely. For some people, they can dramatically effect or shift perception, promoting a sense of connectedness, well-being and mild euphoria. Physical and mental stamina is usually increased, and exertion may seem more enjoyable to the individual.” Source: http://www.herbcraft.org/nettles%20oats%20and%20you.pdf
The literature on constituents or pharmacology of nettle seeds is sparse. An HPLC analysis of the lipid fraction indicates the presence of a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, especially palmitic, and a small amount of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids. Of interest is the presence of a lectin in the seeds of U. pilulifera, a Turkish stinging nettle.
A lectin from the roots of U .dioica known as Urtica dioica agglutinin(UDA) is known as a novel T-Cell mitogen with superantigenic properties.7
UDA has an unique pattern of T-cell activation and cytokine induction whichhas led to its use as a probe in investigations of superantigen activity.
The clinical use of nettle seed extracts for treatment of renal dysfunction represents a novel indication for the herb, first suggested by North American herbalist David Winston and to date unsupported by published reports. The following two cases involve the use of nettle seed extracts in patients with serious renal challenges, and utilize serum creatinine laboratory values data to serially monitor the effects of the extract.
Both patients were impressed with the effects of the Urtica semen. Both continued to do well with apparently stable renal function unaided by
continued herbal support. The nephrectomy patient recently experienced an increase in creatinine levels following major surgical procedure. The allograft patient continues to pursue an active career in performing arts in the Pacific Northwest.
* Nettle seed extract
The extract of nettle seed used in the above case series was a standard tincture 1:5, 30% EtOH, supplied by Herbalist & Alchemist Inc. 51 S Wandling Avenue, Washington, NJ. 07882-3537.
http://www.pkdiet.com/pdf/Kcit/nettlecreatinine.pdf
Food Chem Toxicol. 2009 Feb;47(2):418-24. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.11.031. Epub 2008 Dec 3.
Effects of Urtica dioica L. seed on lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and liver pathology in aflatoxin-induced tissue injury in rats.
Yener Z1, Celik I, Ilhan F, Bal R.
This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Urtica dioica L. seeds (UDS) extract against aflatoxin (AF)-exposure in rats. The preventive potential and antioxidant capacity of the plant's extract was evaluated by liver histopathological changes, measuring serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde, MDA) content in some tissues of rats. Eighteen rats were randomly divided into one of three experimental groups: control, AF-treated group and AF+UDS-treated group. Rats in control group were fed with a diet without AF. Rats in AF-treated group and AF+UDS-treated group received approximately 25 microgr of AF/rat/day. AF+UDS groups also received 2 mL of UDS oils/rat/day by gavage for 90 days. Administration of UDS extract restored the AF-induced imbalance between MDA and antioxidant system towards near normal particularly in liver. Hepatoprotection by UDS is further substantiated by the almost normal histologic findings in AF+UDS-treated group as against degenerative changes in the AF-treated rats. It is concluded that UDS has a hepatoprotective effect in rats with aflatoxicosis, probably acting by promoting the antioxidative defense systems.
Br Poult Sci. 2016 Apr;57(2):235-45. doi: 10.1080/00071668.2015.1129664.
Protective effects of Urtica dioica seed extract in aflatoxicosis: histopathological and biochemical findings.
Uyar A1, Yener Z1, Dogan A2.
The ameliorative potential and antioxidant capacity of an extract of Urtica dioica seeds (UDS) was investigated using histopathological changes in liver and kidney, measuring serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defence systems and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA)) content in various tissues of broilers exposed to aflatoxin (AF). A total of 32 broilers were divided randomly into 4 groups: control, UDS extract-treated, AF-treated and AF+UDS extract-treated. Broilers in control and UDS extract-treated groups were fed on a diet without AF. The AF-treated group and AF+UDS extract-treated groups were treated with an estimated 1 mg total AF/kg feed. The AF+UDS extract groups received in addition 30 ml UDS extract/kg diet for 21 d. The AF-treated group had significantly decreased body weight gain when compared to the other groups. Biochemical analysis showed a small increase in the concentrations of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase in the AF-treated group compared to that of the control group, whereas concentrations of these enzymes were decreased in the AF+UDS group compared to that of the AF-treated group. Administration of supplementary UDS extract helped restore the AF-induced increase in MDA and reduced the antioxidant system towards normality, particularly in the liver, brain, kidney and heart. Hepatorenal protection by UDS extracts was further supported by the almost normal histology in AF+UDS extract-treated group as compared to the degenerative changes in the AF-treated broilers. It was concluded that UDS extract has a protective hepatorenal effect in broilers affected by aflatoxicosis, probably acting by promoting the antioxidative defence systems.
J Med Food. 2011 Dec;14(12):1554-61. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0028. Epub 2011 Aug 23.
The effect of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) seed oil on experimental colitis in rats.
Genc Z1, Yarat A, Tunali-Akbay T, Sener G, Cetinel S, Pisiriciler R, Caliskan-Ak E, Altıntas A, Demirci B.
This study investigated the effect of Urtica dioica, known as stinging nettle, seed oil (UDO) treatment on colonic tissue and blood parameters of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. Experimental colitis was induced with 1 mL of TNBS in 40% ethanol by intracolonic administration with a 8-cm-long cannula with rats under ether anesthesia, assigned to a colitis group and a colitis+UDO group. Rats in the control group were given saline at the same volume by intracolonic administration. UDO (2.5 mL/kg) was given to the colitis+UDO group by oral administration throughout a 3-day interval, 5 minutes later than colitis induction. Saline (2.5 mL/kg) was given to the control and colitis groups at the same volume by oral administration. At the end of the experiment macroscopic lesions were scored, and the degree of oxidant damage was evaluated by colonic total protein, sialic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione levels, collagen content, tissue factor activity, and superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase activities. Colonic tissues were also examined by histological and cytological analysis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6), lactate dehydrogenase activity, and triglyceride and cholesterol levels were analyzed in blood samples. We found that UDO decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and cholesterol, which were increased in colitis. UDO administration ameliorated the TNBS-induced disturbances in colonic tissue except for MDA. In conclusion, UDO, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, merits consideration as a potential agent in ameliorating colonic inflammation.
High-antibacterial activity of Urtica spp. seed extracts on food and plant pathogenic bacteria.
Körpe DA , İşerı ÖD , Sahin FI , Cabi E , Haberal M
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition [16 Oct 2012, 64(3):355-362]
The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate antibacterial activities of methanol (MetOH) and aqueous (dw) leaf (L), root (R) and seed (S) extracts of Urtica dioica L. (Ud; stinging nettle) and Urtica pilulifera L. (Up; Roman nettle) on both food- and plant-borne pathogens, with total phenolic contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities (DRSA). MetOH extracts of leaves and roots of U. dioica had the highest DRSA. Extracts with high antibacterial activity were in the order Up-LMetOH (13/16) > Ud-SMetOH (11/16) > Up-SMetOH (9/16). Results obtained with Up-SMetOH against food spoiling Bacillus pumilus, Shigella spp. and Enterococcus gallinarum with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in 128-1024 μg/ml range seem to be promising. Up-SMetOH also exerted strong inhibition against Clavibacter michiganensis with a considerably low MIC (32 μg/ml). Ud-SMetOH and Up-LMetOH were also effective against C. michiganensis (MIC = 256 and 1024 μg/ml, respectively). Ud-SMetOH and Ud-RMetOH had also antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas vesicatoria (MIC = 512 and 1024 μg/ml, respectively). Results presented here demonstrate high-antibacterial activity of U. pilulifera extracts and U. dioica seed extract against phytopathogens for the first time, and provide the most comprehensive data on the antibacterial activity screening of U. pilulifera against food-borne pathogens. Considering limitations in plant disease control, antibacterial activities of these extracts would be of agricultural importance. Brandnetelzaad is blijkbaar goed tegen allerlei pathogenen; dat zijn ziekmakende bacteriën. Voedsel kan bederven en dat kan het ontstaan van pathogenen veroorzaken. Wanneer voedsel is bewerkt met brandnetelzaad, ontstaan deze ziekmakers minder snel. Overigens werden in het onderzoek waaruit dit blijkt, een onderzoek aan de universiteit van Ankara in 2013, het blad en de wortel van brandnetel ook onderzocht; deze werden nog beter bevonden dan brandnetelzaad om pathogenen te bestrijden.