In this project, different NETTLE plants from north regions of Iran including Tonekabon, Amol and Gorgan were collected. The OIL was extracted using soxhlet extraction apparatus and was subjected to series of physical and chemical tests and determinations consisting of refractive index, melting point, smoke point, nonsaponifiable matter, Iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, totox value, acid values, kreis test and fatty acids composition. Among the samples collected the one obtained from Gorgan had the highest OIL content. Fatty acid analysis of the extracted OILs indicated a high degree of unsaturation where linolenic acid accounted for 28.7 % of the total fatty acids with an unusual concentration of C17:0. The OIL also showed a high concentration of nonsaponifiable matter where the sterol constituted the major part of this fraction.

In order to study the competitive ability of onion against NETTLE-LEAF goosefoot (Chenopodium murale), an experiment was conducted at the research center of Iranshahr during 2003 and 2004. The experimental design was split-plot based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. Main plots were planting systems (direct-seeded and transplanted) and sub plots were five density patterns (0, 0.33, 1, 3 and 6 plant/m2) at fix density of onion. The relationships between onion yield and NETTLE-LEAF density for each year were described using a rectangular hyperbolic function suggested by Cousens. The initial slop of the hyperbola (parameter I), representing the percentage yield reduction per unit density for very low NETTLE-LEAF infestations, was estimated 66.86 and 23.89% for direct-seeded onion and transplanted onion in 2003 while 48.09 and 42.86% in 2004. Maximum yield loss (parameter A), was estimated 92.92% in first year and 80.95 in second year for transplanted onion. In direct-seeded that have less competitive ability than transplanted onion, A, was 100% in two year. Generally, the results from experiments data and regression model showed that NETTLE-LEAF is more competitive than onion.

High levels of circulating fat are considered an important factor in atherosclerosis. So the most important object of the present study is to investigate the effect of NETTLE LEAF extract mixture on atherosclerosis plaque formation and biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases. Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, normal diet as the control group, sunflower OIL as a sham group, high cholesterolemic group (1% cholesterol), and high-cholesterol + NETTLE LEAF extract (500 mg/kg of BW) group. Components were given to the sham and all 2 experimental groups as gavage. Obtained results of the present study indicated that body weight was reduced significantly in group III compared with the control groups and group II. In the slices prepared from the aorta of the 1% cholesterol-treated group, athreptic plaques were detectable. The plaques were formed of lipid-laden macrophages, and foam cells, with smooth muscle cells within the plaques. The thickness of the plaque increased so that it was more than half of the thickness of the environment. Pathology results showed that the NETTLE extract reduced significantly the damage in the arterial wall compared with the high-cholesterol group. The atheroma was fully raised and observable in the inner surface of the vessel (P<0/01). The results indicated that Grande ortie extract is efficient and tended to improve atherosclerosis complications in hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

High levels of circulating fat are considered an important factor in atherosclerosis. So the most important object of the present study is to investigate the effect of NETTLE LEAF extract mixture on atherosclerosis plaque formation and biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases. Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, normal diet as the control group, sunflower OIL as a sham group, high cholesterolemic group (1% cholesterol), and high-cholesterol + NETTLE LEAF extract (500 mg/kg of BW) group. Components were given to the sham and all 2 experimental groups as gavage. Obtained results of the present study indicated that body weight was reduced significantly in group III compared with the control groups and group II. In the slices prepared from the aorta of the 1% cholesterol-treated group, athreptic plaques were detectable. The plaques were formed of lipid-laden macrophages, and foam cells, with smooth muscle cells within the plaques. The thickness of the plaque increased so that it was more than half of the thickness of the environment. Pathology results showed that the NETTLE extract reduced significantly the damage in the arterial wall compared with the high-cholesterol group. The atheroma was fully raised and observable in the inner surface of the vessel (P<0/01). The results indicated that Grande ortie extract is efficient and tended to improve atherosclerosis complications in hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

Aim: An endogenous repairman of the central nervous system is possible via neural stem cells. Some researchers have suggested the neural protective of some medicinal herbs such as; Urtica dioica. The purpose of this study is creating an oxidative condition in the neural stem cell cultures and then treated the cells with methanolic extract of NETTLE leaves in vitro. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the hippocampal neural stem cells extraction was performed by enzymatic digestion in newborn rats. The verification of these cells as nerve cells was carried out by the morphological and immunocytochemistry examinations. Before treatment, the cells were exposed for 24 hours to oxidative stress condition and then NETTLE LEAF extract was added to the cell plates at of 2. 5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μ g/ml and cells were maintained for 24 hours, separately. The final evaluation of the cell proliferation was performed by MTT viability test. The groups included; an experimental group that was treated with extract and the control group. Results: Neural stem cells had neural morphology and expressed nestin marker. Proliferation percentage of the neural stem cells was higher in the treatment groups than the control group. In addition, MTT assay results showed that the percentage of live cells in the treated groups increased, as the proliferation of the neural stem cells significantly increased (P<0/05) at 20μ g/ml. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of NETTLE LEAF have neuroprotective effects and could adjust oxidative stress condition in vitro. It was able to improve the dysfunction of the central nervous system, following the production of free radicals.

Aqueous extract and volatile OIL were obtained from Miliusa tomentosa by using soxhlet extractor and hy-dro distillation with a Clevenger-type apparatus respectively. The extract and volatile OIL both were screened for Antimicrobial activity against different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pncumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus pumilis) and fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium monoliforme, Trichoderma viridae, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pcilomyces species) by cup plate diffusion method. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of aqueous extract and volatile OIL obtained were determined using modified cup plate method. The aqueous extract exhibited weak activity against all the bacteria and one fungi (Candida albicans), while volatile OIL showed strong activity against most bacteria including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudommonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoni. Also, a moderate activity was seen against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus pumilis. It also showed strong activity against fungi like Candida albicans and Fusarium monoli-forme, whereas moderate activity was observed on Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viridae and the weak activity against the remaining fungi. It can be concluded that Miliusa tomentosa LEAF volatile OIL finds its use as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent after extensive investigation, and this may provide a basis for the isolation of constituents of biological interest from Miliusa tomentosa for its potent activity.

Demand for the production and consumption of fresh meat has led to the use of various methods to improve the quality characteristics and increase its shelf life. In this study, stinging NETTLE extract (SNE) in combination with epsilon polylysine (ɛ-PL) were used for the production of fresh, functional, and extended shelf life of beef fillets. After drying of stinging NETTLE leaves under favorable conditions, aqueous extraction was performed at concentrations of 3, 6 and 9% (w/v) of leaves. A solution of ɛ-PL at 0. 5% (w/v) concentration was prepared and mixed with 3, 6 and 9% of SNE. Beef fillets (4 treatments) were prepared in 2×2×2 sizes and treated for 1 h at 4 ° C with a ratio of 1 to 1 (meat fillets to SNE). Distillation water was used to treat the control. Finally, beef fillets were packed in polyethylene bags and quality properties were performed at days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. During storage, pH, phenolic compounds, redness value (a) and sensory scores decreased significantly (P< 0. 05), and in contrast to lipid oxidation, total volatile nitrogen, lightness (L) and yellowness (b) increased significantly (P< 0. 05). It was found that the treatment of beef fillets using SNE (6%) in combination with ɛ-PL (0. 5%) resulted in a significant reduction (P< 0. 05) in the amount of lipid oxidation and total volatile nitrogen compounds of about 50% compared to the control sample. The color and sensory characteristics of processed beef fillets showed that SNE in combination with ɛ-PL could increase the sensory scores of the samples. Based on the results, SNE had synergistic effects with ɛ-PL in reducing lipid oxidation and total volatile nitrogen compounds, therefore it could be used to produce fresh and functional beef.

The flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst is one of the most important pests damaging cereals specially wheat and lowering the quality and quantity of the production directly and indirectly each year. This study had done in order to investigate the toxicity effect of two essential OILs of Cichorium intybus and Utrica dioica in different treatment duration (24, 48 and 72 hours) on mortality of larval and adult stages of T. castaneum. The experiments were done at entomology laboratory of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz during 2018, based on a complete randomized design in 25 ± 1°C and 60 ± 5 % of humidity. Investigation had done in 4 replications and 25 insects per unit. Based on LC50 value from probit analysis of mortality percent in T. confusum 72 hour after treatment, least LC50 belong to larvae and application of C. intybus essential OIL. In response to essential OIL of both medicinal plant, least LC50 value observed in larval stage. In this investigation increasing treatment time, decreased LC50 value. Results of line-effects showed that sensitivity of two stage to C. intybus is the same. But adult insect of T. confusum in lower concentration were more sensitive V. dioica essential OIL. Also in higher concentrations there were less difference between these two stage to V. dioica essential OIL that shows higher concentrations of V. dioica cause more effective death in adults than larval stage.