Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

The Natural Products Journal

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2210-3155
ISSN (Online): 2210-3163

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Review Article

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea): A Functional Food and Herbal Medicine for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the Promotion of Optimal Health

Author(s): Sue-Kei Lee, Zi-Xin Lee, Yau-Yan Lim, Kai-Bin Liew, Gabriel Akyirem Akowuah and Yik-Ling Chew*

Volume 12, Issue 7, 2022

Published on: 05 July, 2022

Article ID: e020322201618 Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/2210315512666220302160241

Price: $65

Abstract

Boehmeria nivea, commonly known as ramie, is a functional food ingredient used by Asians. It is also cultivated for its leaf fibres with excellent tensile strength, resistance to shrinkage, and antimildew, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Ramie leaves and roots are also consumed as food, beverages, and medicinal herbs. This plant has been used as ethnomedicine for various health complications, including hepatoprotective, antiviral, antipyretic, detoxification, reduced swelling, etc. The ethnomedicinal uses of ramie in multiple countries, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, have been reviewed. The phytochemicals or secondary metabolites reported in ramie have also been listed. Ramie has been found to exhibit numerous promising pharmacological activities. Four pharmacological activities of ramie that are closely related to treating and preventing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) have been thoroughly reviewed: anti-inflammatory, anti-colitis, anti-oxidative, and laxative.

Keywords: Boehmeria nivea, ramie, inflammatory bowel disease, anti-inflammatory, anti-colitis, anti-oxidative, laxative.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Roy, S.; Lutfar, L.B. Bast fibres: Ramie. In: Handbook of Natural Fibres; Kozłowski, R.M., Ed.; Woodhead Publishing: Sawston, UK, 2012; 1, pp. 47-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1533/9780857095503.1.47]
[2]
Escobin, R. Plant resources of South-East Asia No.17: Fibre plants; Backhuys Publishers: Leiden, The Netherlands, 2003.
[3]
Jose, S.; Rajna, S.; Ghosh, P. Ramie fibre processing and value addition. Asian J. Textile, 2017, 7(1), 1-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ajt.2017.1.9]
[4]
Pithadia, A.B.; Jain, S. Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pharmacol. Rep., 2011, 63(3), 629-642.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(11)70575-8] [PMID: 21857074]
[5]
Nishimura, M.; Kuboi, Y.; Muramoto, K.; Kawano, T.; Imai, T. Chemokines as novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 2009, 1173(1), 350-356.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04738.x] [PMID: 19758172]
[6]
Neurath, M.F. Cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease. Nat. Rev. Immunol., 2014, 14(5), 329-342.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nri3661] [PMID: 24751956]
[7]
Wang, H.; Qiu, C.; Chen, L.; Abbasi, A.M.; Guo, X.; Liu, R.H. Comparative study of phenolic profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in different vegetative parts of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.). Molecules, 2019, 24(8), 1551.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules24081551] [PMID: 31010162]
[8]
Roy, S.; Lutfar, L.B. 3 - Bast fibres: Ramie. In: Handbook of Natural Fibres; Woodhead Publishing: Sawston, UK, 2012, pp. 61-69.
[9]
Hitchcock, M. PROSEA plant resources of South-East Asia: no. 17 fibre plants. Bot. J. Linn. Soc., 2007, 154(2), 289-289.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00556.x]
[10]
Fern, K. Plants for a Future: Edible & Useful Plants for a Healthier World; Permanent Publications: Hampshire, UK, 1997.
[11]
Kozlowski, R.; Rawluk, M.; Barriga-Bedoya, J. 5 - Ramie.Bast and Other Plant Fibres; Franck, R.E., Ed.; Woodhead Publishing: Wood-head Publishing: UK, 2005, pp. 207-227.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1533/9781845690618.207]
[12]
Cho, S.; Lee, D.G.; Jung, Y-S.; Kim, H.B.; Cho, E.J.; Lee, S. Phytochemical identification from Boehmeria nivea leaves and analysis of (-)-Loliolide by HPLC. Nat. Prod. Sci., 2016, 22(2), 134-139.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.20307/nps.2016.22.2.134]
[13]
Lee, D.G.; Cho, S.; Lee, J.; Yang, S.; Jung, Y-S.; Kim, H.B.; Cho, E.J.; Lee, S. Quantitative analysis of the flavonoid content in the leaves of Boehmeria nivea and related commercial products. Nat. Prod. Sci., 2015, 21(1), 66-70.
[14]
Lee, A.Y.; Wang, X.; Lee, D.G.; Kim, Y-M.; Jung, Y-S.; Kim, H.B.; Kim, H.Y.; Cho, E.J.; Lee, S. Various biological activities of ramie (Boehmeria nivea). J. Appl. Biol. Chem., 2014, 57(3), 279-286.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3839/jabc.2014.044]
[15]
Shan, L.Q.; Su, P.Z.; Yi, X.L.; Wei, Y.W.; Bi, Z.L. Preparation method of Hakka ramie leaf rice. CN103932025B, 2015-07-22, 2015.
[16]
Au, D.T.; Wu, J.; Jiang, Z.; Chen, H.; Lu, G.; Zhao, Z. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Hakka in Guangdong, China. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2008, 117(1), 41-50.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.01.016] [PMID: 18313871]
[17]
Huang, L.W. Preparation method of ramie leaf rice cake food. Patent CN103598487A, 2014.
[18]
Jang, M-S.; Yoon, S-J. Characteristics of quality in jeolpyun with different amounts of Ramie. Korean J. Food Cookery Sci., 2006, 2006, 22.
[19]
He, Z. H. Dark green tea composition with ramie leaves and preparation method thereof. Patent CN105638961A, 2016.
[20]
Paik, J-E.; Bae, H-J.; Joo, N-M.; Lee, S-J.; Jung, H-A.; Ahn, E-M. The quality characteristics of cookies with added Boehmeria nivea. Korean J. Food Nutr. Sci., 2010, 23(4), 446-452.
[21]
Commission, C.P. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China; Chinese Medical Science and Technology Press: Beijing, China, 2010.
[22]
Huang, K-L.; Lai, Y-K.; Lin, C-C.; Chang, J-M. Inhibition of hepatitis B virus production by Boehmeria nivea root extract in HepG2 2.2.15 cells. World J. Gastroenterol., 2006, 12(35), 5721-5725.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v12.i35.5721] [PMID: 17007029]
[23]
Tian, X.Y.; Xu, M.; Deng, B.; Leung, K.S-Y.; Cheng, K.F.; Zhao, Z.Z.; Zhang, S.P.; Yang, Z.J.; Deng, P.X.; Xu, D.Y.; Xu, X.P.; Koo, I.; Wong, M. The effects of Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. on embryonic development: In vivo and in vitro studies. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2011, 134(2), 393-398.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.034] [PMID: 21195153]
[24]
Chang, J-M.; Huang, K-L.; Yuan, T.T-T.; Lai, Y-K.; Hung, L-M. The Anti-hepatitis B Virus activity of Boehmeria nivea extract in HBV-viremia SCID mice. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med., 2010, 7(2), 189-195.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem180] [PMID: 18955304]
[25]
Lim, J.Y.; Lee, J.H.; Lee, B.R.; Kim, M.A.; Lee, Y.M.; Kim, D.K.; Choi, J.K. Extract of Boehmeria nivea suppresses mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation by inhibiting mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor-κB. Molecules, 2020, 25(18)
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25184178]
[26]
Lin, C.C.; Yen, M.H.; Lo, T.S.; Lin, C.F. The antiinflammatory and liver protective effects of Boehmeria nivea and B. nivea subsp. nippo-nonivea in rats. Phytomedicine, 1997, 4(4), 301-308.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(97)80037-2] [PMID: 23195578]
[27]
Lin, C-C.; Yen, M-H.; Lo, T.S.; Lin, J-M. Evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Boehmeria nivea var. nivea and B. nivea var. tenacissima. J. Ethnopharmacol., 1998, 60(1), 9-17.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(97)00122-0] [PMID: 9533427]
[28]
Sultana, B.; Yaqoob, S.; Zafar, Z.; Bhatti, H.N. Escalation of liver malfunctioning: A step toward herbal awareness. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2018, 216, 104-119.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.01.002] [PMID: 29309862]
[29]
Gimlette, J.D. A Dictionary of Malayan Medicine; xvi + 260. Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press: London, 1939.
[30]
Yellowdawn, T. The sun, human & food: A self-treatment and practice with natural food; Author House: Bloomington, 2011, pp. 91-92.
[31]
Chen, A.; Ma, Y.; Gao, Y.; Gao, Z. Encyclopedic Reference of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1st ed; Springer-Verlag: Berlin, Heidelberg, 2003.
[32]
Nguyen Van Dan, D.T.N. Medicinal Plants in Vietnam, 1st ed; World Health Organization, 2009.
[33]
Ayensu, J.A.D.E.S. Medicinal Plants of China; Reference Publications, Inc.: Algonac, Michigan, 1985.
[34]
Kimura, T.; But, P.P.H.; Guo, J.X.; Sung, C.K. International Collation of Traditional and Folk Medicine.Northeast Asia; , 1996, 1, p. 14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/3041]
[35]
Xu, Q.M.; Liu, Y.L.; Li, X.R.; Li, X.; Yang, S.L. Three new fatty acids from the roots of Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich and their antifun-gal activities. Nat. Prod. Res., 2011, 25(6), 640-647.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.488230] [PMID: 21409726]
[36]
Félix-Silva, J.; Silva-Junior, A.A.; Zucolotto, S.M.; Fernandes-Pedrosa, M.F. Medicinal plants for the treatment of local tissue damage induced by snake venoms: An overview from traditional use to pharmacological evidence. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med., 2017, 2017, 5748256.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5748256] [PMID: 28904556]
[37]
Mollik, A.H.; Hossan, S.; Islam, T.; Jahan, R.; Rahmatullah, M. Medicinal plants used against rheumatoid arthritis by traditional medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh. Planta Med., 2009, 75(09), PD58.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1234537]
[38]
Cho, S.; Lee, J.; Kim, Y.M.; Jung, Y-S.; Kim, H.B.; Cho, E.J.; Lee, S. Chemical composition of different parts of ramie (Boehmeria nivea). Korean J. Agric. Sci., 2017, 44(1), 95-103.
[39]
Park, M-R.; Lee, J-J.; Kim, A-R.; Jung, H-O.; Lee, M-Y. Physicochemical composition of ramie leaves (Boehmeria nivea L.). Korean J. Agric. Sci., 2010, 17(6), 853-860.
[40]
Lee, Y-R.; Nho, J-W.; Hwang, I-G.; Kim, W-J.; Lee, Y-J.; Jeong, H-S. Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of ramie leaf (Boehmeria nivea L.). Food Sci. Biotechnol., 2009, 18(5), 1096-1099.
[41]
Kim, A-R.; Lee, H-J.; Jung, H-O.; Lee, J-J. Physicochemical composition of ramie leaf according to drying methods. J. Korean Soc. Food Sci. Nutr., 2014, 43(1), 118-127.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2014.43.1.118]
[42]
Chen, Y.; Wang, G.; Wang, H.; Cheng, C.; Zang, G.; Guo, X.; Liu, R.H. Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in six species of ramie leaves. PLoS One, 2014, 9(9), e108140.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108140] [PMID: 25243741]
[43]
Nho, J.W.; Hwang, I.G.; Kim, H.Y.; Lee, Y.R.; Woo, K.S.; Hwang, B.Y.; Chang, S.J.; Lee, J.; Jeong, H.S. Free radical scavenging, angioten-sin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, and in vitro anticancer activities of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) leaves extracts. Food Sci. Biotechnol., 2010, 19(2), 383-390.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10068-010-0054-6]
[44]
Tan, Z.; Wang, C.; Yi, Y.; Wang, H.; Li, M.; Zhou, W.; Tan, S.; Li, F. Extraction and purification of chlorogenic acid from ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) leaf using an ethanol/salt aqueous two-phase system. Separ. Purif. Tech., 2014, 132, 396-400.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2014.05.048]
[45]
Liu, Y.; Nielsen, M.; Staerk, D.; Jäger, A.K. High-resolution bacterial growth inhibition profiling combined with HPLC-HRMS-SPE-NMR for identification of antibacterial constituents in Chinese plants used to treat snakebites. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2014, 155(2), 1276-1283.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.07.019] [PMID: 25043779]
[46]
Sung, M.J.; Davaatseren, M.; Kim, S.H.; Kim, M.J.; Hwang, J-T. Boehmeria nivea attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory markers by inhib-iting p38 and JNK phosphorylations in RAW264.7 macrophages. Pharm. Biol., 2013, 51(9), 1131-1136.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.781196] [PMID: 23750815]
[47]
Shin, E.J.; Sung, M.J.; Yang, H.J.; Kim, M.S.; Hwang, J-T. Boehmeria nivea attenuates the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis. Mediators Inflamm., 2014, 2014, 231942.
[48]
Xu, Q.; Chen, G.; Fan, J.; Zhang, M.; Li, X.; Yang, S.; Li, X. Chemical constituents of roots of Boehmeria nivea. Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi, 2009, 34(20), 2610-2612.
[PMID: 20069903]
[49]
Liu, C.; Zou, K.; Guo, Z.; Zhao, Y.; Cheng, F.; Zhang, H. Chemical constituents from leaves of Boehmeria nivea. Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi, 2010, 35(11), 1432-1434.
[PMID: 20822015]
[50]
Wang, Q.; Rehman, M.; Peng, D.; Liu, L. Antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of leaf extracts from ten ramie culti-vars. Ind. Crops Prod., 2018, 122, 430-437.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.06.020]
[51]
Sancheti, S.; Sancheti, S.; Bafna, M.; Kim, H-R.; You, Y-H.; Seo, S-Y. Evaluation of antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant ef-fects of Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich., Urticaceae, root extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rev. Bras. Farmacogn., 2011, 21, 146-154.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2011005000021]
[52]
Saha, D.; Sharma, A.; Laha, S.; Sinha, M.; Mahapatra, B. Ramie: A fibre crop of new opportunities. Indian Farming, 2010, 59, 22-25.
[53]
Li, W.; Ding, L.; Li, B. Chemical constituents of the root of Boehmeira nivea (L.) Gaud. Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi, 1996, 21(7), 427-428.
[PMID: 9642395]
[54]
Nguyen, D.H.D.; Tran, P.L.; Ha, H.S.; Lee, J.S.; Hong, W.S.; Le, Q.T.; Oh, B.C.; Park, S.H. Presence of β-amylase in ramie leaf and its anti-staling effect on rice cake. Food Sci. Biotechnol., 2015, 24(1), 37-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10068-015-0006-2]
[55]
Yu, Y.; Zhang, G.; Li, Z.; Cheng, Y.; Gao, C.; Zeng, L.; Chen, J.; Yan, L.; Sun, X.; Guo, L.; Yan, Z. Molecular cloning, recombinant ex-pression and antifungal activity of BnCPI, a Cystatin in Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.). Genes (Basel), 2017, 8(10), 265.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes8100265] [PMID: 29019965]
[56]
Fang, J.; Seki, T.; Tsukamoto, T.; Qin, H.; Yin, H.; Liao, L.; Nakamura, H.; Maeda, H. Protection from inflammatory bowel disease and colitis-associated carcinogenesis with 4-vinyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol (canolol) involves suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. Carcinogenesis, 2013, 34(12), 2833-2841.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgt309] [PMID: 24064222]
[57]
Rezaie, A.; Parker, R.D.; Abdollahi, M. Oxidative stress and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease: an epiphenomenon or the cause? Dig. Dis. Sci., 2007, 52(9), 2015-2021.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9622-2] [PMID: 17404859]
[58]
Roessner, A.; Kuester, D.; Malfertheiner, P.; Schneider-Stock, R. Oxidative stress in ulcerative colitis-associated carcinogenesis. Pathol. Res. Pract., 2008, 204(7), 511-524.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2008.04.011] [PMID: 18571874]
[59]
Tüzün, A.; Erdil, A.; İnal, V.; Aydin, A.; Bağci, S.; Yeşilova, Z.; Sayal, A.; Karaeren, N.; Dağalp, K. Oxidative stress and antioxidant ca-pacity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Clin. Biochem., 2002, 35(7), 569-572.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0009-9120(02)00361-2] [PMID: 12493587]
[60]
Moura, F.A.; de Andrade, K.Q.; Dos Santos, J.C.F.; Araújo, O.R.P.; Goulart, M.O.F. Antioxidant therapy for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Does it work? Redox Biol., 2015, 6, 617-639.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2015.10.006] [PMID: 26520808]
[61]
Langmead, L.; Rampton, D.S. Review article: Complementary and alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther., 2006, 23(3), 341-349.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02761.x] [PMID: 16422993]
[62]
Ng, S.C.; Lam, Y.T.; Tsoi, K.K.; Chan, F.K.; Sung, J.J.; Wu, J.C. Systematic review: The efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther., 2013, 38(8), 854-863.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apt.12464] [PMID: 23981095]
[63]
Rahimi, R.; Shams-Ardekani, M.R.; Abdollahi, M. A review of the efficacy of traditional Iranian medicine for inflammatory bowel disease. World J. Gastroenterol., 2010, 16(36), 4504-4514.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v16.i36.4504] [PMID: 20857519]
[64]
Kang, E.A.; Han, K.; Chun, J.; Soh, H.; Park, S. Increased risk of diabetes in inflammatory bowel disease patients: A nationwide popula-tion-based study in Korea. J. Clin. Med., 2019, 8(3), 343.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm8030343]
[65]
Avancini Caramori, M.L.; Rossing, P. Chapter 54 - Diabetic Nephropathy. In: Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric; 7th ed.; Jameson, J.L.; De Groot, L.J.; de Kretser, J.L.; Giudice, L.C.; Grossman, A.B.; Melmed, S.; Potts, J.T.; Weir, G.C., Eds.; W.B. Saunders: Philadelphia, 2016; pp. 934-957. e12.
[66]
Tang, W.H.; Martin, K.A.; Hwa, J. Aldose reductase, oxidative stress, and diabetic mellitus. Front. Pharmacol., 2012, 3(87), 87.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2012.00087] [PMID: 22582044]
[67]
Petrash, J.M. All in the family: Aldose reductase and closely related aldo-keto reductases. Cell. Mol. Life Sci., 2004, 61(7-8), 737-749.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00018-003-3402-3] [PMID: 15094999]
[68]
James, S.L.; van Langenberg, D.R.; Taylor, K.M.; Gibson, P.R. Characterization of ulcerative colitis-associated constipation syndrome (proximal constipation). JGH Open, 2018, 2(5), 217-222.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.12076] [PMID: 30483593]
[69]
Miller, C.; Emmanuel, A.; Zarate-Lopez, N.; Taylor, S.; Bloom, S. Constipation in ulcerative colitis: Pathophysiology and practical man-agement. Frontline Gastroenterol., 2020, 12(6), 493-499.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2020-101566] [PMID: 34712467]
[70]
Lee, H-J.; Choi, E.J.; Park, S.; Lee, J-J. Laxative and antioxidant effects of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) leaf extract in experimental con-stipated rats. Food Sci. Nutr., 2020, 8(7), 3389-3401.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1619] [PMID: 32724603]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
10
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy