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

As the role of nettle supplementation for type 1 diabetic patients is still unclear, we aimed to evaluate the impact of nettle supplementation on children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 50 patients with type one diabetes aged 12 - 18 with improper glycemic parameters (HbA1c greater than 6.5 mg/dL) received either insulin with 5 cc of nettle syrup (i.e., quercetin-based on at least 0.04 mg/mL of chlorogenic acid) twice daily for 12 weeks, or insulin monotherapy. Demographic characteristics, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and insulin dosage were investigated at the beginning of the study and at multiple intervals in both groups.

Changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, mean dose of rapid-acting and long-acting insulin, and mean total insulin dose were significant in both groups, and the increase in total insulin dose was significantly lower in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The trend of BUN and serum creatinine changes was not significant over time (P = 0.532 and P = 0.785, respectively).

We found lower total insulin dose in the intervention group that may emphasize the positive effect of nettle concomitant use through insulin secretion or sensitizing effect.