Urtica Fissa Research Articles

Endophytic Fungus UJ3-2 from Urtica fissa: Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Action against Staphylococcus aureus

Taking the endophytic fungus UJ3-2, isolated from Urtica fissa, as the experimental material, this study aimed to explore the composition of its metabolites and the underlying mechanisms by which it inhibits Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the MIC, MBC, inhibitory curves, biofilm growth, and extracellular nucleic acids and proteins of S. aureus in response to the metabolites were measured. Secondly, PI staining and SEM were used to evaluate the impact of the metabolites on the integrity of the cell wall and overall morphology of S. aureus. Additionally, UPLC-MS was employed to analyze the composition of the secondary metabolites. The UJ3-2 strain was identified as Xylaria grammica based on ITS sequencing and designated as Xylaria grammica UJ3-2. Our results revealed that the metabolites of UJ3-2 exhibited excellent in vitro antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with both MIC and MBC values of 3.125 mg/mL. The inhibitory curve confirmed that 1 MIC of UJ3-2 metabolites could completely inhibit the growth of S. aureus within 24 h. With increasing concentrations of UJ3-2 metabolites, the growth of S. aureus biofilms was significantly suppressed, and obvious leakage of nucleic acids and proteins was observed. PI fluorescence staining indicated that various concentrations of UJ3-2 metabolites disrupted the integrity of the S. aureus cell membrane. SEM observation revealed that the treated S. aureus surfaces became rough, and the bacteria shrank and adhered to each other, showing a dose-dependent effect. UPLC-MS analysis suggested that the main components of the fermented metabolites were 6-oxocineole (17.92%), (S)-2-acetolactate (9.91%), 3-methyl-cis,cis-muconate (4.36%), and 8-oxogeranial (3.17%). This study demonstrates that the endophytic fungus UJ3-2 exhibits remarkable in vitro antibacterial effects against S. aureus, primarily by enhancing the permeability of the S. aureus cell membrane, causing the leakage of its intracellular contents, and altering the bacterial surface morphology to inhibit the pathogen. The endophytic fungus UJ3-2 has a good antibacterial effect on S. aureus, which gives it certain application prospects in the screening and industrial production of new and efficient natural antibacterial active substances.

Gut yeast diversity of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under different dietary conditions.

Yeast is one of the important symbiotic flora in the insect gut. However, little is known about the gut yeast in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under various dietary conditions. The composition and function of the intestinal yeast community also remain unclear. In this research, we explored the composition of yeast microorganisms in H. armigera larvae under different feeding environments, including apple, pear, tomato, artificial diet (laboratory feeding), Urtica fissa, Helianthus annuus, and Zinnia elegans (wild environment) using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that a total of 43 yeast OTU readings were obtained, comprising 33 yeast genera and 42 yeast species. The yeast genera with a total content of more than 5% were Hanseniaspora (36.27%), Moesziomyces (21.47%), Trichosporon (16.20%), Wickerhamomyces (12.96%) and Pichia (6.38%). Hanseniaspora was predominant when fed indoors with fruits, whereas Moesziomyces was only detected in the wild group (Urtica fissa, Helianthus annuus, Zinnia elegans) and the artificial diet group. After transferring the larvae from artificial diet to apple, pear and tomato, the composition of intestinal yeast community changed, mainly reflected in the increased relative abundance of Hanseniaspora and the decreased abundance of Trichosporon. Simultaneously, the results of α diversity index indicated that the intestinal yeast microbial diversity of H. armigera fed on wild plants was higher than that of indoor artificial feeding. PCoA and PERMANOVA analysis concluded that there were significant differences in the gut yeast composition of H. armigera larvae on different diets. Our results confirmed that gut yeast communities of H. armigera can be influenced by host diets and may play an important role in host adaptation.

In vitro evaluation of the composition and acaricidal efficacy of Urtica fissa leaf ethyl acetate extract against Sarcoptes scabiei mites.

In veterinary medicine, natural products provide an alternative to chemical agents for mite management. Inthe present study, the acaricidal efficacy ofUrtica fissa leaf ethyl acetate extract against Sarcoptes scabiei mites was examined. The chemical composition ofthe extract was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The ethyl acetate extract was found tobe extremely toxic tomites ataconcentration of100mg/ml (m/v), killing all S.scabiei within two hours. The median lethal time (LT50) values for ethyl acetate extract concentrations of25, 50, and 100mg/ml against S.scabiei were 1.706, 1.204, and 0.750h, respectively. Themedian lethal dosage (LC50) for S.scabiei was 19.14mg/ml attwo hours. The chemical composition oftheethyl acetate extract was evaluated using LC-MS, showing that the major components were schaftoside (8.259%), carnosol(6.736%), prostaglandinA2 (5.94%), 13(S)-HpOTrE (4.624%), nandrolone (4.264%), 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde (4.138%), 9-oxoODE (3.206%), and stearidonic acid (2.891%). Inconclusion, these findings indicate that Urtica fissa contains promising new acaricidal compounds capable ofsuccessfully controlling animal mites.

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic studies on four plants from genus of Urtica L. (Urticaceae)

The study aims to conduct phytochemical investigation on four different species of Urtica L., collected in China. The main components of different types of plants in this genus are flavonoids, coumarins, lignans and so on, which are compatible with this study. Eight substances were isolated from Urtica laetevirens Maxim., Urtica mairei Levl., Urtica fissa E. Pritz. and Urtica triangularis Hand-Mass.: one terpenoid (1), one coumarin (2), four lignans (3–6) and two flavonoids (7 and 8). Among them, compound 2 was isolated from all four plants, compounds 1 and 8 were first discovered from Urtica L. In addition, secolignans could be regarded as taxonomic markers for the genus of Urtica L., and its accumulation may be related to its location and altitude. All the above results of the research contributed to consolidating the chemotaxonomic knowledge of Urtica L..

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Urtica fissa

Urtica fissa E. Pritz is not only an important medicinal plant for rheumatism and cough relief, but it is also an important forage plant. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of U. fissa was assembled for the first time and reported to be 146,837 base pairs (bp) long with a typical tetragonal structure and including a large single-copy of 79,657 bp, a small single-copy of 17,712 bp, and two inverted repeats of 24,734 bp each. It harbors 115 unique genes, including 70 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA genes, and 7 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that U. fissa is closely related to Urtica lobatifolia. This study contributes to the understanding of the origin and evolution of U. fissa, as well as its genetic relationships with other species.

Active constituents of Urtica fissa in inhibition of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The present study investigated the material basis of Urtica fissa for the inhibition of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). The active fractions were screened, and the extracts of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate exhibited significantly inhibitory activities against 5α-reductase in vitro and BPH in model rats. The chemical constituents in the active fractions were systematically investigated, and 28 compounds were obtained, which were identified as lobechine methyl ester(1), dibutyl-O-phthalate(2), 1-monolinolein(3), epipinoresinol(4), 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentanyl-2(5H)-furanone(5), E-7,9-diene-11-methenyl palmitic acid(6), evofolin B(7), ficusal(8), threo-2,3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropan-1-ol(9), α-viniferin(10),(9R,7E)-9-hydroxy-5,7-mengatigmadien-4-one-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11), indole-3-carboxaldehyde(12), p-hydroxy ethyl cinnamate(13), benzyl alcohol-O-β-D-glucoside(14), L-methionine(15), 4-methoxyaniline(16), 6-aminopurine(17), 8'-acetyl oilvil(18), 4-methoxyl-8'-acetyl oilvil(19), vanillic acid(20), β-hydroxypropiovanillone(21), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin(22), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(23), pinoresinol(24), erythro-1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanediol(25), urticol(26), urticol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(27), and lobechine(28). Compounds 1-17 were isolated from U. fissa for the first time. Meanwhile, compound 1 was a new natural product. Compounds 10, 11, 19, 21, and 27 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on 5α-reductase.

Analgesic alkaloids from Urticae Fissae Herba

ObjectiveTo investigate the analgesic substances in the aerial part of Urtica fissa (Urticae Fissae Herba), commonly used for rheumatoid and rheumatism arthritis. MethodsThe analgesic constituents were isolated with the active guidance of hot plate and acetic acid writhing models, and identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. ResultsThirteen alkaloids (1–13), two lignans (14, 15), and three amides (16–18) were isolated from the active fractions. Among them, compound 1 was a new alkaloid, and compound 6 was a new natural product. The activity evaluation in vivo indicated that various pyrrole alkaloids (1, 3, 6, and 12) possessed significant analgesic activities, they could significantly inhibit the mice pain response induced by acetic acid and hot plate at the dosage of 2 mg/kg BW. ConclusionThe study revealed that the pyrrole alkaloids played important roles in the analgesic activities of Urticae Fissae Herba.

The inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa to BPH

The inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa to BPH

The chemical constituents with cytotoxicity from Urtica fissa seed

Phytochemical investigation of Urtica fissa seed led to the isolation of a new secolignan (1) and a new glycoalkaloid (2), together with 16 known compounds (3−18). The subsequent active evaluation indicated that two lignans (1, 12), two ceramides (3, 4), and the glycoalkaloid (2) possessed the significant cytotoxicity. They could obviously inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells HeLa and CCRF-CEM cells, with IC50 values as low as 1.5 μM.

The active glycosides from Urtica fissa rhizome decoction.

Using bioassay guided fractionation, 16 glycosides, including two new compounds (1 and 2), were isolated from the anticomplement and anti-inflammatory portion of an Urtica fissa rhizome decoction used for arthritis. Several compounds were found to possess significant anticomplement and anti-inflammatory activities. This study revealed that glycosides played an important role in the therapeutic effects of Urtica fissa rhizome.

Two new secolignans from the roots of Urtica fissa

Two new secolignans, 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)methyl]butyrolactone (1) and 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4- [bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]butyrolactone (2) have been isolated from the roots of Urtica fissa E.Pritz. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS. The inhibitory effects on N1 and N2, two subtypes of neuraminidases (NAs), of these two compounds were assayed.

Weeding the nettles VI: Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of the Southeast Asian Urtica fissa-clade (Urticaceae)

Urtica L. (Urticaceae) is a subcosmopolitan genus common throughout temperate Asia. Species delimitation is very difficult and the present study investigates a group of taxa associated with Urtica fissa from East-Southeast Asia and based mainly on herbarium collections, including most of the type specimens and cultivated plants. Species limits especially of U. mairei, U. fissa and U. himalayensis have been consistently confused in both herbaria and floristic treatments. As part of a taxonomic revision we produced a molecular phylogeny of the group based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF and trnS–trnG markers. Our revision recovers a total of five species and two subspecies: U. fissa E.Pritz. ex Diels, U. grandidentata Miq. subsp. grandidentata, U. grandidentata Miq. subsp. lombok K.Becker & Weigend, U. himalayensis Kunth & C.D.Boché, U. mairei Lév. and U. parviflora Roxb. We provide type information, diagnostic characters, a key to species identification, species conservation assessments and a list of exsiccatae for each taxon.

Inhibition of spontaneous canine benign prostatic hyperplasia by an Urtica fissa polysaccharide fraction.

In this study, we investigated the inhibition of spontaneous canine benign prostatic hyperplasia by a crude polysaccharide fraction extracted from Urtica fissa roots and stems. After oral administration of U. fissa polysaccharide fraction for 3 months, the dog prostatic volume reduced significantly when compared to that before treatment using CT examination. The high-dosage U. fissa polysaccharide fraction (120 mg/kg body weight/day) and finasteride (0.5 mg/kg body weight/day) treatments showed both almost 30 % reduction of the initial prostatic volume. At the end of the administration of U. fissa polysaccharide fraction, the prostates were excised, and the volumes were measured by water displacement. The prostatic volume showed significant decrease by 11 %, 15 %, and 21 % for the 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day U. fissa polysaccharide fraction treatment groups, respectively, compared to the control group. Histological observation found that U. fissa polysaccharide fraction inhibited the dog prostatic epithelial cells proliferation and enlarged glandular lumen diameter. The crude polysaccharide fraction of U. fissa is a possible new candidate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Structure of a polysaccharide from Urtica fissa determined by NMR spectra

A polysaccharide, isolated and purified from the aqueous extract of nettle plant Urtica fissa, was found to consist of d-glucose and d-arabinose. Molecular weight was determined to be Mn 4140. The NMR experiments (1H, 13C, 1H–1H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, NOESY, and HMBC) revealed the structure as the following repeating unit:

Structural characterization of polysaccharides from the roots of Urtica fissa

Three polysaccharides were isolated from the roots of Urtica fissa by extraction, ultrafiltration, anion-exchange, and gel-filtration chromatography. The structures were characterized using acetylation, methylation, and spectral methods (GCMS, NMR). All three polysaccharides are mainly composed of d-arabinofuranosyl, d-galactopyranosyl, d-glucopyranosyl residues with different structural characteristics. Polysaccharide A of MW 5.2 × 103 contained a linear chain of 1-linked β-d-glucopyranosyl, 1,6-linked β-d-glucopyranosyl, 1,6-linked α-galactopyranosyl, and 1,5-linked β-arabinofuranosyl moieties. Polysaccharide B of MW 7.7 × 104 possessed a chain consisting of 1,5-linked α-d-arabinofuranosyl, 1,3-linked β-d-mannopyranosyl, 1,6-linked β-d-glucopyranosyl, and 1,6-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl residues, but 4-O of α-d-galactopyranosyl residues were branched by terminal β-d-glucopyranosyl residues. Polysaccharide C of MW 5.3 × 104 composed of a chain of 1,5-linked α-d-arabinofuranosyl, 1,4-linked β-d-galactopyranosyl, 1,5-linked β-d-xylopyranosyl, 1,4-linked β-d-mannopyranosyl, 1-linked β-d-glucopyranosyl residues, and the terminal β-d-glucopyranosyl residues are attached to 3-O positions of 1,6-linked α-d-glucopyranosyl residues.