Antidiabetic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Utica Dioica Leaves on Stz Induced Type 1 Diabetic Model Rats

In the present study we have explored the effect of Urtica dioica, a traditional antidiabetic herb used in India and Bangladesh, on insulinemic and chronic inflammatory status of type 1 diabetic model rats. The mature and fresh leaves of U. dioica was collected from the mountain range of Assam in India and the water extract of the leaves was used at a dose of 1.25g/kg body weight. Adult Long-Evans male rats, bred at BIRDEM Animal house, were used in this study. Type 1 DM was produced with single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin using standardized methods. The experiment for semi-chronic effects was done with continuous feeding of water extract of U. dioica for 8 days. Serum glucose estimated by glucose oxidase (GOD-POD) method, serum insulin was measured by ELISA and CRP (as a marker for chronic inflammation) was also measured by an ELISA technique specific for rats. Serum lipids were measured by enzymatic-colorimetric methods. When compared to Control the water extract of U. dioica showed a significant hypoglycemic effect on 8 day (Fasting blood glucose, mmol/L, M±SD, 25.19±6.4 in Control group vs 8.8±3.7 in U. dioica group, p<0.001). The reduction of serum glucose level was accompanied by a substantial (about 300%) rise of serum insulin levels on 8 day (Fasting serum insulin, μg/ml, M±SD, 0.315±0.269 in Control vs 0.105±0.086 in U. dioica groups on 0 day, p=ns; 0.284±0.208 in Control vs 0.417±0.361 in U. dioica groups on 8 day, p=0.004). The CRP also showed lower values, but the difference was not significant compared to Control (Fasting CRP, μg/ml, 275±78 in Control group vs 271±68 U. dioica group on 0 day; 232±85 in control vs 307±72 on 8 day in U. dioica group). Triglycerides level decreased significantly in U. dioica treated group when compared with the Control group (Fasting TG level, mg/dl, M±SD, 119±28 in the Control Vs 37±11 U. dioica group, p<0.001). U. dioica water extract has hypoglycemic properties, which may have an association with improved insulinemic status linked to an anti-inflammatory effect of the plant product on pancreatic βcells.