The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Urtica dioica Leaves on High Levels of Blood Glucose and Gene Expression of Glucose Transporter 2 (Glut2) in Liver of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Background: Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) has been accepted for decreasing blood glucose levels; however, the exact mechanism of its anti-hyperglycemic effect remains to be understood. Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of ethanolic extract of stinging nettle leaves on blood glucose levels and gene expression of Glucose Transporter 2 (Glut2) in liver of alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Naval medical research institute (NMRI) mice were randomly divided to three groups. The control group received saline (10 mL/kg, intraperitoneally) for eight days, the diabetic group received three days of injections of alloxan (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) followed by five days of injections of ethanol (20%), and the diabetic + nettle extract group received alloxan for three days followed by five days of injections of the nettle extract (150 mg/kg). Mice were weighed before and after treatments (on days one and nine). On day nine, mice were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for measuring glucose levels and liver was dissected to examine changes in the Glut2 gene expression with the semi-quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results:The results showed that the nettle extract significantly decreased high levels of blood glucose (P < 0.001). The nettle extract also had a preventive effect on decrease in body weight. In addition, the results showed that the Glut2 gene expression was increased in liver of diabetic mice (P < 0.05) and was significantly prevented by the nettle extract in diabetic + nettle extract group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that the nettle extract can reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic mice, at least partly, by influencing the Glut2 gene expression in mice liver.

Assessment of Biological Activities, Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity of Liang (<i>Gnetum gnemon</i> var. <i>tenerum</i>) Leaves Powder, a Natural Product

“…29) In diabetic conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion and GLUT2 expression are typically elevated due to the storage of excess glucose in hepatocytes from bloodstream. 30) Following the administration of LLP to diabetic rats for 28 d in this study, we noticed GLUT2 expression decreased by approximately 57.35% thus suggesting the gluconeogenesis inhibition potential of LLP in hepatocytes as well its potential for insulin regulation in beta cells. Solaimani 31) discussed how glucose uptake can be measured through GLUT4 expression in adipose and muscle tissues.…”

Urtica dioica (Nettle) in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Most of these effects are similar to those of insulin. On the other hand, nettle extract can reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic mice due to GLUT-2 gene expression in mice's liver (10,34,35). Mobasseri et al (36) mentioned inconsistent results that the alcoholic extract of nettle could not enhance glucose utilization directly or by increasing the insulin sensitivity in muscle cells (29,36).…”

Methanol Extract of Dryopteris dilatata Alleviates streptozotocin-induced Hyperglycaemia and Liver Injury in Male Wistar Rats in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…"The etiology of diabetic vascular disease has been linked to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress" [42]. "However, in diabetes, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to hyperglycemia causes oxidative and inflammatory stress in a variety of organs and tissues" [15].…”