Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Nettle on Immune System in Mice

Abstract

Nettle is a plant with the scientific name Urtica dioica belonging to the Urticacea family. Nettle is considered to be a herb due to its numerous medical effects and a wide-spread and significant use in traditional medicine. In this paper, we have investigated the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of nettle on the proteins of the blood serum in female mice (Balb/C species). The samples were divided into 5 groups of 8, including the control, placebo and 3 experimental groups. All samples were kept in identical conditions. The hydro-alcoholic extract of nettle was obtained in dosages of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/2 days and administered as injection to the experimental groups using the inner peritoneum method. Normal saline was administered to the placebo group (zero dosage). The most important parameters considered were levels of a-1, a-2 and g globulin in the blood serum. Results revealed no perceptible change in the amount of a-1, a-2 and b globulin in the experimental groups and the only significant change was a rise of g-globulin at the 200 mg/kg dosage level. Present findings demonstrate the positive effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of nettle in a 200 mg/kg dosage which can improve immunity without antigenic presence.