RESUMEN
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