Author/Authors :
Khafri Soraya نويسنده , Parsian Hadi نويسنده Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. , Moghadamnia Ali Akbar Ali Akbar نويسنده Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Moghadamnia Ali Akbar Ali Akbar , Korani Bahare نويسنده Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical
Sciences, Babol, IR Iran , Mirzapour Ali نويسنده Department of Internal medicine, Babol University of
Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran , Neamati Nahid نويسنده Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical
Sciences, Babol, Iran
Abstract :
Background Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is an endocrine disease caused
by inadequate secretion or improper utilization of insulin. Studies have
shown that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) dysregulation is
contributed to the development of T2DM. Urtica dioica (UD) may have
anti-hypoglycemic activities in T2DM patients. However, the underlying
mechanism is remained unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the
UD effect on serum levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c),
insulin concentration, and AMPK levels in diabetic patients. Objectives
This study aimed to determine the effect of Urtica Dioica
hydro-alcoholic extract on glycemic index and AMPK levels in diabetic
patients. Methods This randomized single-blind clinical trial was
conducted in the endocrinology clinic of Rohani hospital (Babol. Iran).
Convenience sampling and simple random allocation were used in the
study. Sixty diabetic patients were randomly divided into the two drug
and control groups. The drug group received 20 mg/kg/d of
hydro-alcoholic UD extract three times for 8 weeks and control group
received placebo. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, insulin and AMPK
were measured and compared at the beginning and end of the study.
Results FBG levels of the drug group were significantly decreased
compared with the placebo group (P = 0.032). Quantitative insulin
sensitivity check index (QUICKI) increased significantly in drug group
compared with the other group (P < 0.001). The insulin and AMPK
levels in the drug group after taking UD extract increased by 62.5% and
8.0 %, respectively. However, there was no significant changes compared
with the placebo group (P = 0.222 and P = 0.542, respectively).
Conclusions According to the results, UD is able to decrease glucose
level and improve insulin release in T2DM. In addition, as UD is able to
induce a small increase in AMPK activity, it is possible that the
anti-hyperglycemic effect of UD is mediated by insulin secretion and the
possible changes in AMPK levels.
