The effects of Urtica dioica extract on lipid profile, insulin resistance index and liver histology in polycystic ovary syndrome-induced Wistar rats

Urtica dioica as a medicinal herb due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects, improve type 2 diabetes and decrease inflammation, fibrosis and necrosis as the signs of Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as the most important factor of infertility has an overlap of 30 % to 60% with liver disorders. Hence, the Urtica dioica moderator effect on liver function in PCOS rats was examined. In this experimental study 144 adult Wistar rats were divided into control, PCOS and nettle-treated groups. The group PCOS was injected subcutaneously 2 mg estradiol valerate, after 60 days and confirmed polycystic, the experimental group was injected intraperitoneally the Urtica dioica extract doses (150,250, 450 mg/kg BW). After 21 days, rats were anesthetized by chloroform; blood samples and livers were collected for histological and serological evaluation. Data were analyzed using in stat 3 via one-way ANOVA and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Liver sections and serological analysis showed reduced number of necrotic cells, insulin resistance index and lipid profile in PCOS rats that were treated with various concentrations of Urtica dioica extract. Whereas PCOS is described as a low-grade inflammatory state, the results show that Urtica dioica by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic necrosis may reduce inflammation and improve metabolic symptoms in PCOS and has significant protective effect on liver.