The Extract of Lamium album and Urtica dioica Increase Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Level in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

[Background]Diabetes mellitus is defined by hyperglycemia. Antidiabetic effects of Urtica dioica have been shown. Lamium album or nonstinging nettle is known to have useful impacts such as antioxidant and cytoprotective properties.[Objectives]The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in diabetic rats given U. dioica and L. album extracts to distinguish any relationship between IGF-1 level and these plant extracts administration.[Methods]In this experimental study, 32 male rats divided into four groups; normal, diabetic, diabetic treated with U. dioica (100 mg/kg/daily), diabetic treated with L. album (100 mg/kg/daily) for 28 days. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and IGF-1 concentrations were measured. One way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test was used for comparison between groups. In each group, FBS level among different times was compared using repeated measure ANOVA. Analysis was done using SPSS software version 22.[Results]FBS level significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with control rats (P < 0.0001) but L. album and U. dioica decreased this level (P < 0.0001). Serum IGF-1 in diabetic rats was significantly lower than normal control rats (P < 0.0001), however both L. album and U. dioica caused significant increase in serum IGF-1 in diabetic rats (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.03 respectively)[Conclusions]L. album and U. dioica might increase the level of serum IGF-1 in diabetes; with regard to insulin like activity of IGF-1, this might be viewed as a further support of positive influence of these plant extracts on this disease.