The Effect of Nettle Extract and Aerobic Training on the Gene Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in Mice with Melanoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nettle extract consumption and aerobic exercise on COX-1and COX-2gene expression in mice with melanoma.

In this study, 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1. control, 2. physical exercise, 3. nettle extract, 4. physical exercise + nettle extract. A week after inducing melanoma, the experimental group consumed 30 mg / kg / day of nettle ethanol extract orally for 8 weeks. The training program consisted of 30 minutes of running on a treadmill without a slope at a speed of 16 meters per minute for the first week, and one meter per minute was added every week until it reached 22 meters per minute in the eighth week. RT PCR was used to measure the expression of COX-1and COX-2 genes.

The results of the present study showed that consumption of nettle extract and aerobic exercise caused significant changes in COX-2 levels in experimental groups compared with the control group. COX-2 levels in the extract and combination groups were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Also, the results showed that COX-1 levels were significantly different between the experimental and control groups.

The results of the present study showed that the chemical compounds in nettle extract such as flavonoids, terpenes, fatty acids and phenolics may be responsible for apoptotic and anti-cancer effects. Also, endurance training caused a significant decrease in COX2 levels compared with the control group.