Nettle extract effects on human colon cells
What it found
In lab tests on human colon cells, nettle extracts protected normal cells from oxidative stress and slightly reduced colorectal cancer cell numbers.
The polyphenol-rich fraction also lowered a pro-inflammatory signal.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Normal cell safety
In lab tests, both nettle extracts at 25 to 200 micrograms per millilitre did not harm normal human colon cells. The cells stayed healthy and kept their usual shape.
Protection from oxidative stress
When normal colon cells were exposed to a chemical that causes oxidative stress, the polyphenol-rich nettle fraction at 100 and 200 micrograms per millilitre kept cell survival at normal levels. The simpler extract only helped at the highest dose.
Cancer cell suppression
The polyphenol-rich fraction moderately reduced the number of living colorectal cancer cells. It also increased the share of cancer cells in late apoptosis and necrosis by small amounts.
Anti-inflammatory effect
The polyphenol-rich fraction at 200 micrograms per millilitre significantly lowered the release of IL-1 beta from colorectal cancer cells. Neither extract changed the release of IL-6 or IL-10.
Cell cycle changes
Both extracts at 200 micrograms per millilitre increased the number of normal and cancer colon cells in the sub-G1 phase, which may mean more cells were entering apoptosis. The polyphenol-rich fraction also slowed the cell cycle at the G1 border.
What the authors conclude
“Our research indicates that U. dioica may provide significant health advantages because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that nettle extracts, especially the polyphenol-rich fraction, have strong antioxidant and ROS-scavenging effects that can protect against oxidative stress and cell damage.
- They note that the lack of harm to normal human colon cells supports their potential use in dietary supplements or as food additives.
- They suggest that nettle may offer health benefits through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, which are important in cancer prevention and chronic inflammation.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see how nettle extracts affect normal human colon cells, since most earlier studies looked only at cancer cells. They also wanted to test whether the extracts could protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
They made an ethanol-water extract from nettle leaves and a polyphenol-rich fraction from it. They tested these on normal human colon epithelial cells and on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells for 24 hours, at concentrations from 25 to 200 micrograms per millilitre.
What it can’t tell you
- These are lab tests on cells, not studies in people or animals. They cannot show what happens when nettle is eaten or how it is absorbed and used by the body.
- The health benefits seen in cells may not carry over to living organisms because polyphenol absorption varies between people.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- Medical University of Lublin, Poland; Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland; Specialist Medical Centre, Poland
The paper
- Title
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nettle Polyphenolic Extract: Impact on Human Colon Cells and Cytotoxicity Against Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Licence
- CC BY. Words in quotation marks are the authors’; the rest is our summary.
- Cite
- Wójciak M, Paduch R, Drozdowski P, et al (2024). Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nettle Polyphenolic Extract: Impact on Human Colon Cells and Cytotoxicity Against Colorectal Adenocarcinoma. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). doi:10.3390/molecules29215000Free full textPubMed 39519642DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error