Genoma EQ

Urtica dioica contains a small molecular weight lectin (Urtica dioica agglutinin) purified from the root, which exhibits antiviral activity and is capable of modulating aspects of the immune system. Urtica dioica root beneficially controls an overactive immune system. Urtica root is also approved for use in promoting prostate health in Germany. Urtica dioica agglutinin is a potent Candida agglutinating lectin.

Genoma EQ contains the following therapeutic components:

Urtica dioica Root.  Extract of Urtica dioica might beneficially modulate an overactive immune system by reducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta. The lectin in Urtica root (UDA) is a T-cell stimulant, with the ability to discriminate a particular population of CD4 and CD8 cells. Urtica dioica is considered to be a diuretic and has been used in cases of cardiac edema and venous insufficiency. Other traditional uses include as a remedy for anemia, allergies, benign prostatic hypertrophy, rheumatism and gout.

Urtica dioica contains formic acid, a high proportion of chlorophyll and iron, plant enzymes, a wide range of minerals, and plant lignans. Urtica dioica contains a small-molecular-weight lectin (Urtica dioica agglutinin) purified from the rhizomes, which exhibits antiviral activity and is capable of inducing murine cell proliferation. Choline acetyltransferase has been demonstrated in Urtica dioica. (8)

Saw Palmetto Berry (from Serenoa repens).  Saw palmetto was a staple food of the Native American population in the southeastern United States. Native Americans are known to have used the berries both as a food source and for its medicinal qualities. Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree with large leaves and large deep red-blackberries. The American Indians used the berries as a general tonic to nourish the body and encourage appetite and normal weight gain. The berries were also used in the treatment of genitourinary tract problems including enuresis, nocturia and urinary tract disorders. Recent clinical trials have shown that saw palmetto berries are helpful in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Saw Palmetto berries contain an oil with a variety of fatty acids and phytosterols. These fatty acids include capric, caprylic, caproic, lauric, palmitic, and oleic acid and their ethyl esters. The major phytosterols are beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, cycloartenol, cycloartenol, lupeol, lupenone, and 24-methyl-cycloartenol. The fat soluble extract of saw palmetto berries has been shown to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is thought to be responsible for the enlargement of the prostate. In addition, saw palmetto extract inhibits the binding of DHT to receptors thus blocking DHT’s action and promoting the breakdown of the potent compound. (1, 2)

Chamomile Flower (from Matricaria recutita).  The active constituents of Chamomile include quercetin, apigenin, and coumarins, and the essential oils matricin, chamazulene, alpha bisaboloid, and bisaboloid oxides. (14) Although the constituent(s) responsible for the sedative activity of German chamomile are unclear, some preliminary research suggests that apigenin can bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. GABA receptors are the primary receptor sites of benzodiazepines in the central nervous system. However, other research suggests that apigenin doesn’t affect GABA receptors, and other constituents of German chamomile are responsible for the sedative activity. (15, 16)

An advantage to using plant extracts to boost testosterone in lieu of drugs is that the plant extracts have ancillary health benefits. Chrysin, for example, is a potent antioxidant that possesses vitamin-like effects in the body. It has been shown to induce an anti-inflammatory effect, possibly through inhibition of the enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inflammation pathways. Apigenin: Found in most species of Chamomile, the flavone apigenin is also a safe and effective aromatase inhibitor, with an inhibitory effectiveness about equal to chrysin. (17) Matricaria recutita Flower (German Chamomile) is used for a gentle relaxing effect as well.

Quercetin. This is the most abundant of the flavonoid molecules that naturally can be found in apples, onion, tea, berries, brassica vegetables, seeds, nuts, flowers, barks and leaves. It promotes insulin secretion, increases vitamin C levels, protects blood vessels, prevents easy bruising and supports the immune system. It is also an aldose reductase inhibitor. Aldose reductase has been linked to chronic complications associated with diabetes such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataracts, thus quercetin protects against the complications often associated with diabetes. Quercetin is also a sirtuin-like deacetylase inhibitor, involved in inhibition of histone deacetylase. (18)

Quercetin is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and has been shown in experimental studies to have numerous effects on the body. It is found in many often-consumed foods, including apple, onion, tea, berries, and brassica vegetables, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves. It is also found in medicinal botanicals and is often a major component of the medicinal activity of the plant. Quercetin appears to have many beneficial effects on human health, including cardiovascular protection, anti-cancer activity, anti-ulcer effects, anti-allergy activity, cataract prevention, antiviral activity, and anti-inflammatory effects. Quercetin is extensively employed in the Protocols section of the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia.

Quercetin’s anti-inflammatory activity appears to be due to its antioxidant and inhibitory effects on inflammation-producing enzymes (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase) and the subsequent inhibition of inflammatory mediators, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Inhibition of histamine release by mast cells and basophils also contributes to quercetin’s anti-inflammatory activity.

Quercetin’s mast-cell-stabilizing effects make it a clear choice for use in preventing histamine release in allergy cases. Quercetin’s cardiovascular effects center on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In one study, the risk of heart disease mortality decreased significantly as flavonoid intake increased. Interestingly, the flavonoid-containing foods most commonly eaten in this study contain a high amount of quercetin (tea, onions, apples). Quercetin is indicated in any inflammatory condition, as it inhibits the formation of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandins and leukotrienes, as well as histamine release.

Animal studies have shown quercetin to be protective of gastric ulceration and an interesting aspect of quercetin’s anti-ulcer effect is that it has been shown to inhibit growth of Helicobacter pylori in a dose dependent manner. Quercetin may help treat or even prevent prostate cancer by blocking male hormones that encourage the growth of prostate cancer cells, according to preliminary laboratory research at the Mayo Clinic. In another study, men with an inflamed prostate (prostatitis) reported reduced urinary symptoms when they took quercetin.

Quercetin has been investigated in a number of animal models and human cancer cell lines and has been found to have antiproliferative effects. It may also increase the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. More clinically-oriented research needs to be done in this area to discover effective dosage ranges and protocols. Quercetin is also a sirtuin-like deacetylase inhibitor.

Quercetin is a flavonoid with anticancer activity. Quercetin is a mitochondrial ATPase and phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It Inhibits PI3-kinase activity and slightly inhibits PIP kinase activity. Quercetin has antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines, reduces cancer cell growth via type II estrogen receptors, and arrests human leukemic T cells in late G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy.  Extracts of the roots of Urtica dioica are approved for the treatment of prostatic diseases in Germany. Experimental evidence suggests that some hydrophobic constituent in the roots of Urtica dioica roots inhibits the membrane sodium- and potassium-ATPase activity of the prostate, which may subsequently suppress prostate-cell metabolism and growth. (1) Aqueous extracts of Urtica dioica are also capable of inhibiting the binding of sex hormone binding globulin to its receptors on human prostatic membranes, in a dose-dependent manner. (2) It is believed that the lignans found in the root are responsible for inhibiting this binding. (3)

The combined use of extracts of Urtica and Sabal have shown efficacy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A before and-after comparison revealed an improvement in the pathological findings and in the obstructive and irritative symptoms. For the most part, the efficacy and tolerability of the preparation was assessed as “very good” or “good”. (4) When an extract combining Urtica and Sabal was compared to finasteride in patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, similar improvements in measured parameters were observed; however, in terms of safety, fewer reports of diminished ejaculation volume, erectile dysfunction and headache were reported in the patients utilizing the Sabal/Urtica extract. (5) A combination of Urtica and Pygeum has also demonstrated efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urine flow, residual urine, and nycturia were significantly improved by treatment. (6)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. While studies in humans are lacking, UD lectin has been shown to prevent the progression of experimentally induced systemic lupus erythematosus like pathology in mice. In the experiment, UDA-treated animals did not develop overt clinical signs of lupus and nephritis. UD was also shown to alter the production of auto antibodies in a sex-dependent manner. (7)

Anti-inflammation.  Urtica dioica extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity in experimental situations. The extract partially inhibits the activity of 5-lipoxygenase and shows a concentration dependent inhibition of the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-derived reactions. (9) An extract of Urtica dioica was investigated with respect to its effects on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in human whole blood of healthy volunteers. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta concentration, after LPS stimulation, were significantly reduced when an extract of Urtica dioica was administered simultaneously. (10)  

Immunmodilatory.  Anti-viral and T-cell mitogen properties can be found in the Urtica dioica agglutinin (UD) and appears to be an N-acetylglucosamine specific lectin. Evidence indicates UD can inhibit HIV-1-, HIV-2-, CMV-, RSV- and influenza A virus-induced cytopathicity. UD also appears to be a potent inhibitor of syncytium formation between persistently HIV-1- and HIV-2-infected HUT-78 cells and CD4+Molt/4 (clone 8) cells. (11) UD is a T-cell mitogen, distinguishable from classical T-cell lectin mitogens, by its ability to discriminate a particular population of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, as well as its capacity to induce an original pattern of T-cell activation and cytokine production. (12)

UD, in vitro, binds to specific carbohydrate structures on class II murine cells and induces a six-fold enrichment of mice splenic T-cells. Evidence indicates that activation, clonal expansion, energy, and death of T-cells occur sequentially after UD administration. Two days after UD injection, the proportion of T-cells in the periphery is elevated to approximately twice that of normal mice; however, the proliferation of T-cells is followed by their rapid disappearance concomitant with their specific elimination by apoptosis. Within one week, all CD4+ peripheral T-cells are deleted. The decline of T-cells in the CD4+ subset is more than in the CD8+ subset. (13)

1. Hirano T, Homma M, Oka K. Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. Planta Med 1994;60:30-33.
2. Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, Rosner . The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interac- tion of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med 1995;61:31-32.
3. Schottner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G. Lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites bind to human sex hormone binding globulin. Planta Med 1997;63:529-532.
4. Schneider HJ, Honold E, Masuhr T. Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Results of a treatment study with the phy- togenic combination of Sabal extract WS 1473 and Urtica extract WS 1031 in urologic specialty practices. Fortschr Med 1995;113:37-40. [Article in German]
5. Sokeland J, Albrecht J. Combination of Sabal and Urtica extract vs. finasteride in benign prostatic hyperplasia (Aiken stagesto II). Comparison of therapeutic effectiveness in a one year double-blind study. Urologe A 1997;36:327-333. [Article in German]
6. Krzeski T, Kazon M, Borkowski A, et al. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther 1993;15:1011-1020.
7. Musette P, Galelli A, Chabre H, Callard P, Peumans W, et al. Urtica dioica agglutinin, a V beta 8.3-specific superanti- gen, prevents the development of the systemic lupus erythematosus-like pathology of MRL lpr/lpr mice. Eur J Immu- nol1996;26:1707-1711.
8. Smallman BN, Maneckjee A. The synthesis of acetylcholine by plants. Biochem J 1981;194:361-364.
9. Obertreis B, Giller K, Teucher T, et al. Anti-inflammatory effect of Urtica dioica folia extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:52-56. [Article in German]
10. Obertreis B, Ruttkowski T, Teucher T, et al. Ex-vivo in-vitro inhibition of lipopolysaccharide stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta secretion in human whole blood by extractum urticae dioicae foliorum.Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:389-394.
11. Balzarini J, Neyts J, Schols D, et al. The mannose-specific plant lectins from Cymbidium hybrid and Epipactis helleborine and the (Nacetylglucosamine) n-specific plant lectin from Urtica dioica are potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus replication in vitro. Antiviral Res 1992;18:191-207.
12. Galelli A, Truffa-Bachi P. Urtica dioica agglutinin. A superantigenic lectin from stinging nettle rhizome. J Immunol 1993;151:1821-1831.
13. Galelli A, Delcourt M, Wagner MC, et al. Selective expansion followed by profound deletion of mature V beta 8.3+ T cells in vivo after exposure to the superantigenic lectin Urtica dioica agglutinin. J Immunol 1995;154:2600-2611.
14. Hormann HP, Korting HC. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: part I: anti-inflammatory agents. Phytomedicine 1994;1:161-71.
15. Viola H, Wasowski C, Levi de Stein M, et al. Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine Receptorslig and with anxiolytic effects. Planta Med 1995;61:213-6.
16. Avallone R, Zanoli P, Puia G, et al. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochem Pharmacol 2000;59:1387-94.
17. Jeong HJ, Shin YG, Kim IH, Pezzuto JM. Inhibition of aromatase activity by flavonoids. Arch Pharm Res. 1999 Jun;22(3):309-12.
18. Pietta P, Simonetti P. Dietary flavonoids and interactions with endogenous antioxidants. Biochem Molec Biol international
19. Campault, G. et al. (1984) A double blind trial of an extract of the plant Seronoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br. J. Clin Pharm. 18:461.
20. Mowrey, D. (1986) The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. Cormorant Books.