Introduction: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) is a plant used for the treatment of various ailments including malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial efficacy of methanol leaf extract of C. aurantifolia in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined by intraperitoneal administration of different doses of the extract (100– 4000 mg/kg) to 6 groups of 3 mice each and the animals were observed for 24 hours for physical signs of toxicity. To evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of the extract, three models were used: suppressive, curative and repository. Doses of the extract used were 320, 640 and 960 mg/kg/d in mice, with Chloroquine (5 mg/kg/d) as standard drug. Pyrimethamine (1. 2 mg/kg/d) was used as the standard drug for the repository test and distilled water (10 mL/kg/d) as control in all models. Results: In all models, the low dose (320 mg/kg) of the extract produced the highest chemosuppressive effects in all models (P < 0. 001). Mice treated with extract lived longer than those in the control group (P < 0. 001). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides and the LD50 of 3280 mg/kg ± 0. 01 shows that the extract has low toxicity. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that C. aurantifolia has antiplasmodial properties which support its use in ethnomedicine in the treatment of malaria.

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.

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.

Objective: Dalbegia saxatilis (D.saxatilis) is used as a decoction in traditional medicine for ailments such as cough, small pox, skin lesions, bronchial ailments and toothache. This study is aimed at evaluating the toxic effect of methanol leaf extract of D.saxatilis on renal function.Materials and Methods: Wistar rats of both sexes were divided into four groups of five: control animals (group 1) received distilled water 1 ml/kg while groups 2, 3 and 4 were given graded doses of the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively) daily for 28 days. Body weight changes were estimated by weighing the rats twice weekly using digital weighing balance. After 28 days, blood samples were obtained for evaluation of renal indices and the kidney was used for histopathology. Data were analysed using one–way and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS version 20.Results: Significant weight increase in all groups were observed (p<0.05). Significant reduction in electrolytes concentration was observed following treatment with extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) (p<0.05). Histopathological findings of the kidney revealed massive necrosis of the glomerulus with tubular distortion and lymphocyte hyperplasia at 250 and 500 mg/kg while intense glomerular and tubular necrosis was observed at 1000 mg/kg of the extract.Conclusion: Since different doses of the extract caused reduction in electrolyte concentration and damage to the kidney it is suggested that prolonged administration of the extract is associated with increased risk of kidney toxicity.