The effect of Urtica Dioica(Nettle) and Vaccinium myrtillus on blood glucose parameteres and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by an imbalance in glucose metabolism in the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Due to the high prevalence of diabetes and its complications, as well as the complications of chemical drugs, physicians are looking for alternative drugs, especially medicinal plants, to treat diabetes. Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus are among the plants that have many uses in Iranian traditional medicine. One of the uses of these two plants is in treating diabetes. Aim: Determining the effect of Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus on blood sugar parameters and fat profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The present study was a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected based on inclusion criterias and after obtaining informed consent included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups by random block method: 1- receiving Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus 2- receiving placebo. Patients consumed the drugs for three month. Demographic, medication side effects, quality of life in diabetic patients and Mezaj questionnaires, blood pressure measurement, wrist and waist circumference, weight, height, etc., completed and fasting blood samples were performed before and after the intervention. Results: The statistical comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference in fasting blood sugar levels in the two studied groups (p < 0.001). After the intervention, the average reduction of triglycerides in the patients of the Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus group had a significant difference from the average decrease of this parameter in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Also, the combination of Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus reduced cholesterol significantly compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus significantly controlled and reduced LDL compared to placebo (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the combination of Urtica Diocia and Vaccinium Myrtillus could play an effective role in reducing blood sugar and fat profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.