Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of nettle (Urtica dioica) on glycemic index and insulin resistance index in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nettle (Urtica dioica) on the glycemic and insulin resistance indices in type 2 diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 type 2 diabetes patients. after adjusting for age, sex and duration of diabetes, patients were randomly divided into two groups; Intervention group (25 patients) and the controls (25 patients) Patients, consumed 100 mg/kg hydro alcoholic extract of nettle or placebo (divided into 3 portions) daily, by dissolving the extract in a glass of water and taking it after their main meals. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), fasting Insulin concentration and insulin resistance index were measured at the beginning and end of the eighth week of the intervention. Student t test and paired sample t-test were used with SPSS software version 18.0 for statistical analyses, P<0.05 being considered significant. Results: FBS and HbA1C showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to controls at the end of the eighth week of study (P<0.05). No significant changes however in fasting Insulin concentration, and Insulin resistance index were seen at the end of the study (P>0.05). Conclusion: The hydro alcoholic extract of nettle reduced FBS and HbA1C after 8 weeks intervention in type 2 diabetic patients, and can hence be recommended as auxiliary therapy in these patients.