Stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation and inhibition of nitric oxide production by aqueous Urtica dioica extract

Phytother Res. 2005 Apr;19(4):346-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1686.

Abstract

The immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activities of aqueous Urtica dioica extract were investigated for their effect on the mitogenic response of murine splenocytes and nitric oxide production by murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro. It was found that this extract stimulated the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and suppressed NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages without affecting cell viability.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Urtica dioica*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Nitric Oxide