[Effect of Urtica dioica boiling on serum glucose, insulin and lipids in fructose-fed male rats]

Urtica dioica has been consumed as antihypertensive, antilipidemic and antidiabetic herbal medicine. Since consumption of fructose-enriched diet causes insulin resistance, the objective of this study was to evaluate the boiling solution effect of Urtica dioica on serum glucose, insulin and lipids in fructose-fed male rats. The experiment was performed on 28 Wistar-Albino male rats that randomly divided in control and two test groups. Control group intake tap water, but test groups consumed fructose-enriched diet [66%] for 4 weeks. The first test group received 40-60 ml boiling of Urtica dioica on experiment period, but the second test group received the same volume of distilled water during study. At the end, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Serum glucose, lipids insulin were measured. Obtained data were analyzed by SPSS V.11, via ANOVA and Scheffe tests. Results were expressed as mean +/- SD and p<0.05 were recognized significant. Results showed that serum glucose, insulin, water and food intake were significantly decreased on fructose-fed male rats who received Urtica dioica boiling, compared with those of other test group but other parameters did not show any difference between test groups. These results indicated that Urtica dioica boiling induced decreased insulin resistance in fructose-fed male rats. Further studies are needed to explore the exact mechanism

[ survey of Teucrium Folium toxicity effect on liver and serum lipoproteins in normoglycemic male rats]

Liver is an important organ in carbohydrates and fatty acids oxidation and to clear toxic agent. Teucrium Polium is an herbal medicament used in traditional medicine without considering its side effects. The aim of this survey was to study the toxic effects of Teucrium Polium on serum levels of liver enzymes, lipoproteins and blood sugar. The survey was carried out on 20 normoglycemic male rats with body weight, ranging from 200-280 gr that were divided randomly in two equal groups randomly. Test group were given Teucrium Polium extract [D=1/09] through gavages for 4 weeks. Control group received the same volume of tap water. At the end of the course, liver enzymes, serum lipoproteins and blood sugar were measured. Data obtained were analyzed by SPPS software v.12 and mean values were compared with student t-test. The results were expressed as mean +/- SD and statistical difference considered meaningful if P<0.05. The results of this survey showed that AST, ALT, and ALP, values of test group were significantly higher than that of the control group but other factors, which were evaluated in test and control group, did not show significant difference. This survey revealed Teucrium Polium use in male rats led to liver Toxicity by increasing liver enzyme value