A Systematic Review about Effects of Aerial Portions of Urtica dioica (Nettle) on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This study focuses on effects of aerial portions of Urtica dioica (Nettle) on some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes mellitus. Databases including Pubmed, Science direct, Scopus, Google scholar and IranMedex, were searched for terms: lipid profile, glucose, Insulin Resistance, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Cardiovascular disease, Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Nettle from 2000 till December 2011. Studies on Nettle root, mixed herbs, unpublished and review articles were excluded. Three human, 18 animal and 7 in vitro or in vitro studies were reviewed. More studies showed positive effects of nettle on decreasing cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes or non-diabetes. Available evidences suggest that Urtica dioica can prevent patients with diabetes from cardiovascular disease with different mechanisms. Because of different dosage, Nettle type and duration of intervention, comparison of studies are difficult. So Further studies need to determine effective dosage of Urtica dioica for decreasing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus.