Nettle Extract Prevents Nasal Allergy Inflammation

In this study, nettle extract (Urtica dioica) showed inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The causes of allergic inflammation that nettle extract prevented are:

1. Release of histamine
2. Mast cell degranulation, which triggers allergic inflammation
3. Prostaglandin formation, a powerful mediator of inflammation

Bioactive compounds were identified in nettle that contribute to the inhibition of these inflammatory pathways related to nasal allergies.

The researchers concluded:

“These results provide for the first time, a mechanistic understanding of the role of nettle extracts in reducing allergic and other inflammatory responses in vitro.”