Effects of Urtica dioica supplementation on blood lipids, hepatic enzymes and nitric oxide levels in type 2 diabetic patients: A double blind, randomized clinical trial

Abstract

<br /><strong>Objective: </strong>Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications including metabolic abnormality-induced diabetic micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications. <em>Urtica dioica L.</em> (<em>U. dioica</em>) has been traditionally used in Iranian medicine as an herbal remedy for hypoglycemic or due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of <em>U. dioica</em> on blood lipids, hepatic enzymes and nitric oxide levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. <br /><br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>50 women with type 2 diabetes participated in this study and were randomly divided into two groups namely, control and intervention groups. Control group received placebo and intervention group received hydro-alcoholic extract of <em>U. dioica</em>. Before and after 8 weeks of continuous treatment, some biochemical serum levels including FPG, TG, SGPT, SGOT, HDL, LDL, SOD and NO were measured. <br /><br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results indicated that after 8 weeks, in the intervention group, FPG, TG, and SGPT levels significantly decreased and HDL, NO and SOD levels significantly increased as compared to the control group. <br /><br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Our results encourage the use of hydro-alcoholic extract of <em>U. dioica</em> as an antioxidant agent for additional therapy of diabetes as hydro-alcoholic extract of <em>U. dioica</em> may decrease risk factors of cardiovascular incidence and other complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.