The effect of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf on hematological parameters in rats

The use of medicinal plants has a special importance in medicine because of its therapeutic properties, low side effects, availability, and ease of use. Nettle is a medicinal plant found in most parts of Iran and has unique properties in traditional medicine such as the treatment of anemia. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf on hematological parameters in rats was investigated. For this purpose, 16 rats were studied and divided into two groups of 8 cases. Each rat in the treatment group received 200 mg/kg of aqueous extract of nettle leaf orally for 28 days and blood sampling was performed on days 0 and 28 and hematological parameters were measured and finally, hematological parameters of control rats that did not receive nettle were compared and the obtained parameters were analyzed. The mean cell volume (MCV) was significantly increased in the treatment group (p=0.044), which, along with parameters such as hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit, showed an increase compared to the control group. The results of this study indicate that oral administration of aqueous extract of nettle leaf can have hematopoietic effects on rats.