Effect of Nettle oil (Urtica dioica) Consumption on levels of Blood Glucose and Lipids in Alloxan-induced Diabetic rats

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease which blood sugar and fat increases followed. Research has shown that some plant extracts have anti-diabetic and so people with diabetes to lower blood sugar, be used therefore, in this study it was decided to establish an experimental diabetic rats, the same situation occurs with type 1diabetes in rats. The aim of present study was to assay ethnopharmacological effects of Nettle (Urtica dioica) consumption on levels of blood glucose and lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. 40 male Wistar rats, weighing 200±20 g and 9 to 10 weeks old, were obtained from the animal breeding center of Islamic Azad University. The rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of 10 animals including: 1normal control, 2normal rats treated with extract, 3diabetic control, and 4diabetics treated with extract. For induction of diabetes, after 15 h fasting, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight (bw), freshly dissolved in distilled water (5%). Animals with fasting blood glucose of 120 to 250 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Results showed a significant difference among animals of groups 3 and 4 with control group during 3rd week. Results showed that blood glucose level on weeks 3 and 6 in groups 3 and 4 was higher than control group significantly. Increased cholesterol level in group 3 was observed on weeks 3 and 6 compared with prior the study. A significant increase in serum triglycerides was observed on weeks 3 and 6 in group 3 compared with prior the study. Measurement of HDL has revealed that this parameter in rats of group 3 decreased significantly in compared with prior the study. Results showed that LDL levels were increased in rats of group 3 in compared with control group.