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Abi Sleiman M, Younes M, Hajj R, Salameh T, Abi Rached S, Abi Younes R, Daoud L, Doumiati JL, Frem F, Ishak R, Medawar C, Naim HY, Rizk S. Urtica dioica: Anticancer Properties and Other Systemic Health Benefits from In Vitro to Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7501. [PMID: 39000608 PMCID: PMC11242153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
While conventional medicine has advanced in recent years, there are still concerns about its potential adverse reactions. The ethnopharmacological knowledge established over many centuries and the existence of a variety of metabolites have made medicinal plants, such as the stinging nettle plant, an invaluable resource for treating a wide range of health conditions, considering its minimal adverse effects on human health. The aim of this review is to highlight the therapeutic benefits and biological activities of the edible Urtica dioica (UD) plant with an emphasis on its selective chemo-preventive properties against various types of cancer, whereby we decipher the mechanism of action of UD on various cancers including prostate, breast, leukemia, and colon in addition to evaluating its antidiabetic, microbial, and inflammatory properties. We further highlight the systemic protective effects of UD on the liver, reproductive, excretory, cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems. We present a critical assessment of the results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials to highlight the gaps that require further exploration for future prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Abi Sleiman
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Maria Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Roy Hajj
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Tommy Salameh
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Samir Abi Rached
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Rimane Abi Younes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Lynn Daoud
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Jean Louis Doumiati
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Francesca Frem
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Ramza Ishak
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Christopher Medawar
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Y Naim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandra Rizk
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
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Lordan C, Roche AK, Delsing D, Nauta A, Groeneveld A, MacSharry J, Cotter PD, van Sinderen D. Linking human milk oligosaccharide metabolism and early life gut microbiota: bifidobacteria and beyond. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0009423. [PMID: 38206006 PMCID: PMC10966949 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00094-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYHuman milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex, multi-functional glycans present in human breast milk. They represent an intricate mix of heterogeneous structures which reach the infant intestine in an intact form as they resist gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, they confer a multitude of benefits, directly and/or indirectly, to the developing neonate. Certain bifidobacterial species, being among the earliest gut colonizers of breast-fed infants, have an adapted functional capacity to metabolize various HMO structures. This ability is typically observed in infant-associated bifidobacteria, as opposed to bifidobacteria associated with a mature microbiota. In recent years, information has been gleaned regarding how these infant-associated bifidobacteria as well as certain other taxa are able to assimilate HMOs, including the mechanistic strategies enabling their acquisition and consumption. Additionally, complex metabolic interactions occur between microbes facilitated by HMOs, including the utilization of breakdown products released from HMO degradation. Interest in HMO-mediated changes in microbial composition and function has been the focal point of numerous studies, in recent times fueled by the availability of individual biosynthetic HMOs, some of which are now commonly included in infant formula. In this review, we outline the main HMO assimilatory and catabolic strategies employed by infant-associated bifidobacteria, discuss other taxa that exhibit breast milk glycan degradation capacity, and cover HMO-supported cross-feeding interactions and related metabolites that have been described thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Lordan
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
| | - Aoife K. Roche
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Arjen Nauta
- FrieslandCampina, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
| | | | - John MacSharry
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Semwal P, Rauf A, Olatunde A, Singh P, Zaky MY, Islam MM, Khalil AA, Aljohani ASM, Al Abdulmonem W, Ribaudo G. The medicinal chemistry of Urtica dioica L.: from preliminary evidence to clinical studies supporting its neuroprotective activity. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2023; 13:16. [PMID: 37171512 PMCID: PMC10176313 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-023-00380-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Urtica dioica is a perennial herb from the family of Urticaceae that is commonly known as stinging nettle. This plant is widespread in Europe, Africa, America, and a part of Asia, as it adapts to different environments and climatic conditions. The leaves, stalk, and bark of U. dioica found applications in the field of nutrition, cosmetics, textile, pest control and pharmacology. In this connection, bioactive chemical constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acids, carotenoids, and fatty acids have been isolated from the plant. With this review, we aim at providing an updated and comprehensive overview of the contributions in literature reporting computational, in vitro, pre-clinical and clinical data supporting the therapeutic applications of U. dioica. Experimental evidence shows that U. dioica constituents and extracts can provide neuroprotective effects by acting through a combination of different molecular mechanisms, that are discussed in the review. These findings could lay the basis for the identification and design of more effective tools against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Semwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, 566/6 Bell Road, Clement Town, Dehra Dun, India.
| | - Abdur Rauf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan.
| | - Ahmed Olatunde
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Pooja Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, 566/6 Bell Road, Clement Town, Dehra Dun, India
| | - Mohamed Y Zaky
- Molecular Physiology Division, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
- Oncology Division, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Md Mozahidul Islam
- Department of Environmental Management, SESM, Independent University, Bangladesh, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anees Ahmed Khalil
- University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah S M Aljohani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Al Abdulmonem
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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