Glycemic Control by Exercise and Urtica Dioica Supplements in Men With Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease in which hyperglycemia is a major symptom, and is associated with numerous vascular and non-vascular complications. People with diabetes use medicinal treatment to exert glycemic control, as well as exercise training and herbal remedies, such as urtica dioica (UD). This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic training and UD supplementation alone, and in combination, on glycemic control in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2014, in the city of Dezful, Iran. A total of 40 males (aged 30 - 50 years) with T2DM were selected and randomly divided into one of four groups in equal numbers (n = 10): 1 - aerobic training (Ae), 2 - UD supplements (UD), 3 - a combination of aerobic training and UD supplements (Ae + UD), and 4 - a control group. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and 48 hours after the intervention period, following 10 - 12 hours of fasting. A t-test and analysis of variance was used to analyze the changes in the measured parameters, and P ? 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) was observed in the Ae group (-9.50 ± 6.96 mg/dl; P = 0.002), the UD group (-7.60 ± 6.04 mg/dL; P = 0.001), and the Ae + UD group (-18.30 ± 6.63 mg/dL; P < 0.001) after 8 weeks. There was a significant difference in FBS between the three intervention groups and the control group. In addition, a significant difference in FBS (P < 0.05) was shown between the UD and Ae + UD groups. The findings confirmed the positive influence of UD supplements and aerobic training on glycemic control in males with T2DM. When aerobic training was combined with a UD supplement, a greater degree of glycemic control was observed.