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We investigated shampoo-related changes in levels of some trace elements in the scalp hair of females and their impact on scalp skin properties. Sixty healthy women divided into control and experimental group who used regular shampoo and Urtica cannabina (U.cannabina) extract shampoo, respectively. Scalp skin was examined using an electronic skin analyzer, and trichometric analysis was performed with a Folliscope. The collected scalp hair samples were digested and measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average copper (p=0.05), zinc (p=0.0002), and iodine (p=0.0004) levels increased notably, whereas the selenium content decreased slightly (p=0.337) in the experimental group. We found that the average iodine content in scalp hair of Mongolian females was three times lower than the global average. The average increase in trace elements may be considered to be due to the transfer of an element into the human scalp during shampooing. These results indicate that some trace elements in human scalp hair are not only associated with nutritional status and environmental factors, but cosmetic products can also affect the trace element composition. The hair growth, diameter, and density gradually increased and were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Scalp skin moisture, sebum, and pH values increased in the experimental group, whereas the control group showed no notable difference. Herbal extracts may potentially support scalp hair growth and increase the hair density. This ability can be explained by the trace elements in the herbal extract, which may play a key role in inducing hair growth.

We investigated shampoo-related changes in levels of some trace elements in the scalp hair of females and their impact on scalp skin properties. Sixty healthy women were divided into the control and experimental groups who used regular shampoo and Urtica cannabina L. (U. cannabina) extract shampoo, respectively. Scalp skin was examined using an electronic skin analyzer, and trichometric analysis was performed with a Folliscope. The collected scalp hair samples were digested and measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average copper (p = 0.05), zinc (p = 0.0002), and iodine (p = 0.0004) levels increased notably, whereas the selenium content decreased slightly (p = 0.337) in the experimental group. We found that the average iodine content in the scalp hair of Mongolian females was three times lower than the global average. The average increase in trace elements may be considered to be due to the transfer of an element into the human scalp during shampooing. These results indicate that the composition of some trace elements in human scalp hair is affected not only by nutritional status and environmental factors but also by cosmetic products. The hair growth, diameter, and density gradually increased and were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Scalp skin moisture, sebum, and pH values increased in the experimental group, whereas the control group showed no notable difference. Herbal extracts may potentially support scalp hair growth and increase the hair density. This ability can be explained by the trace elements in the herbal extract, which may play a key role in inducing hair growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Urtica cannabina, an unconventional forage, is widely distributed in northern China. It has high nutritional values that make it suitable for the ruminant’s feeding requirments as compared to Leymus chinensis. The current study was designed to evaluate varying ratios of Urtica cannabina and Leymus chinensis in the feeding diet and to see the effects on rumen fermentation and gas production in vitro. Methods: The study was designed into five treatments based on the different ratios of U. cannabina and L. chinensis: 0:100, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 and 100:0 categorized into five groups from A-E. To detect the rumen fermentation parameters, the culture medium was collected at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. Result: Gas production of groups A and C was increased than other groups at 24 h (P<0.05), whereas the rate of gas production (c) was also increased in group A (P<0.05). The pH values at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h were increased in groups A and C with higher values in group C at 24 h (P<0.05). The ammonia concentration was increased in groups D and E at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h, with the lower values in group C at 24 h (P<0.05). The concentration of bacterial and protozoal proteins was also observed higher in groups A and C at 1 and 24 h, with highest value in group C at 24 h (P<0.05). In summary, as for Urtica cannabina to Leymus chinensis ratios are concerned, 50:50 is an optimal ratio for rumen fermentation in vitro, which increases the gas production and microbial protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nettle Urticacannabina (U.cannabina) is not only a functional edible food for humans but also a potential alternative feed resource for poultry, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary U.cannabina on the production of high-quality eggs with enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower cholesterol contents. One hundred and twenty laying hens were assigned to three groups [control, 15% alfalfa meal supplementation (TRTA), and 15% U.cannabina supplementation (TRTU)]. The results showed that the feed intake, yolk color, and shell thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the U.cannabina group. Moreover, cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum were lower in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.05). The total n-3 PUFA concentration in the yolk was increased while the ratio of n-6/n-3 was reduced in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of U.cannabina increased shell thickness, yolk n-3 PUFA levels, and yolk color, and reduced cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum without any negative impacts on health or laying performance.

The study was conducted in vitro to investigate the effects of different ratios of Urtica cannabina and Leymus chinensis on fiber microstructure and digestibility in ruminal fluid. The experiment was divided into five groups based on the U. cannabina/L. chinensis ratios: A (0:100), B (30:70), C (50:50), D (70:30), and E (100:0). The culture medium was collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The results showed that: (1) in vitro crude protein degradability (IVCPD) was higher in group A, whereas in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability (IVNDFD) was higher in group C (p < 0.05); (2) protozoa count was increased from 1 h to 3 h and decreased afterwards, with significant differences observed in several genera (p < 0.05); (3) microbial crude protein (MCP) contents at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h were higher in groups A and C (p < 0.05); (4) the basic tissue of U. cannabina was gradually degraded. At 24h, the secondary xylem vessel structure was observed in groups B and C, but not in groups D and E. In summary, there was higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, higher rumen MCP contents, and lower protozoa count, showing the significance of the 50:50 ratio for microbial growth and fiber digestibility.

Urtica cannabina ( U. cannabina), a member of the Urticaceae family, is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world and can be used as a nutritious feed for animals through the winter period. To provide high-quality forage all year-round, we treated freshly harvested U. cannabina without additives (control), but with corn flour ( CF) (5:1 w/w), molasses (2, 4, and 8% fresh weight), or Lalsi L Dry ( LD) inoculant (5, 10 and 20 mg kg−1 of fresh weight). We then assessed the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and fermentative parameters of the products after 0, 3, 5, 15, 20 and 60 d of ensiling. The results showed that: (i) U. cannabina had large quantities of protein and some essential minerals, including calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese, and was particularly rich in magnesium and iron. (ii) U. cannabina can be preserved as a highly nutritious silage. No additive treatment or the LD inoculant treatments produced badly preserved silages. The 2% molasses treatment produced badly preserved silage, but 4-8% molasses produced well-preserved silages. The CF treatment also produced well-preserved silage. We recommend the application rates of molasses at 4-8% of fresh weight or 5:1 CF to improve U. cannabina silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urtica cannabina L. (Urticaceae) is a perennial herb that grows in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (northwest China). Two megastigmanes ( 1, 2) and five flavonoid glycosides ( 3-7) were isolated from its fruit. Compound 1 was determined by spectroscopic analysis to be (+)-blumenol A, and its absolute stereochemistry was determined in detail using chemical conversion and a modification of Mosher’s method. Other compounds were identified as (+)-dehydrovomifoliol ( 2), isovitexin ( 3), isoquercitrin ( 4), astragalin ( 5), afzelin ( 6), and quercitrin ( 7) using spectroscopic (NMR, HMBC, MS) and physical methods (melting point and optical rotation). Compounds 1-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time, while this is the first report of megastigmanes in the Urticaceae family. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolation of these megastigmanes and flavonoid glycosides from Urtica species is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lignans in Urtica cannabina were isolated by preparative HPLC, silica, and ODS column chromatographies, and identified by NMR and HR-MS. The inhibitory activities on 5α-reductase were evaluated in vitro. As a result, ten secolignans,(2R,4S)-2,4-bis(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-butoxypropanol(1), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl] butyrolactone(2), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl] butyrolactone(3), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl] butyrolactone(trans urticol, 4), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl] butyrolactone-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(5), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]butyrolactone-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6), 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]butyrolactone-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(trans-urticol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 7), cycloolivil-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(8), isolariciresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(9), and olivil-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(10), together with a polyphenol [α-viniferin(11)], were isolated from U. cannabina for the first time. Compound 1 was a new lignan. Compound 7 was potent in inhibiting 5α-reductase.

Simple Summary: The nettle Urticacannabina (U. cannabina) belongs to the Urticaceae (nettle) family in the major group Angiosperms (flowering plants); it is distributed worldwide in temperate regions. While it was previously considered to be a weed, increasing evidence suggests that it is a valuable nutrient resource and has multiple biological functions when included in both human and animal diets. U. cannabina was given to laying hens in this experiment to study its effect on the hens' performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and serum biochemical parameters. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with U. cannabina has the potential to produce high-quality eggs. The data collected in this experiment can be used to inform further use of this plant to improve the lipid profile and fatty acid composition of eggs produced by hens fed on U. cannabina. The nettle Urticacannabina (U.cannabina) is not only a functional edible food for humans but also a potential alternative feed resource for poultry, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary U.cannabina on the production of high-quality eggs with enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower cholesterol contents. One hundred and twenty laying hens were assigned to three groups [control, 15% alfalfa meal supplementation (TRTA), and 15% U.cannabina supplementation (TRTU)]. The results showed that the feed intake, yolk color, and shell thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the U.cannabina group. Moreover, cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum were lower in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.05). The total n-3 PUFA concentration in the yolk was increased while the ratio of n-6/n-3 was reduced in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of U.cannabina increased shell thickness, yolk n-3 PUFA levels, and yolk color, and reduced cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum without any negative impacts on health or laying performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Urtica cannabina is an unconventional forage crop that has a wide distribution in northern parts of China and is rich in nutritional values. It has a considerable practical significance in cases of shortage of quality forage, such as Leymus chinensis, which is used for the growth and production of ruminants. Our study found that proper addition ratios of U. cannabina and L. chinensis can increase the fiber digestibility by modulating the rumen microbial community in vitro. We also suggest that proper addition of U. cannabina and L. chinensis ratios may be one of the nutritional strategies that can improve the digestion and absorption performance of fiber feedstuff and potentially alleviate the shortage of quality forage for ruminants. The study was conducted in vitro to investigate the effects of different ratios of Urtica cannabina and Leymus chinensis on fiber microstructure and digestibility in ruminal fluid. The experiment was divided into five groups based on the U. cannabina/L. chinensis ratios: A (0:100), B (30:70), C (50:50), D (70:30), and E (100:0). The culture medium was collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The results showed that: (1) in vitro crude protein degradability (IVCPD) was higher in group A, whereas in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability (IVNDFD) was higher in group C (p < 0.05); (2) protozoa count was increased from 1 h to 3 h and decreased afterwards, with significant differences observed in several genera (p < 0.05); (3) microbial crude protein (MCP) contents at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h were higher in groups A and C (p < 0.05); (4) the basic tissue of U. cannabina was gradually degraded. At 24h, the secondary xylem vessel structure was observed in groups B and C, but not in groups D and E. In summary, there was higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, higher rumen MCP contents, and lower protozoa count, showing the significance of the 50:50 ratio for microbial growth and fiber digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]