The effect of aqueous extract of Urtica Dioica and swimming activity on biochemical factors and renal tissue changes in diabetic rats

Use of medicinal plants is considered as a safe and effective alternative treatment for hyperglycemia. In addition to the positive effects of exercise on diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Urtica Dioica (UD) and Swimming activity on the kidney Properties in diabetic rats

Materials: 

Adult male rats were randomly distributed in nine groups: intact control, diabetic control,diabetic + 625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, diabetic + 100 mg/kg Metformin, diabetic + swimming, diabetic + swimming 625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, and diabetic +100 mg/kg Metformin + swimming. Aqueous extract of  Urtica Dioica was given to rats by gavage for 4 weeks. Swim training protocol was performed for 4 weeks, 5 days per week. Blood bilirubin, albumin, creatinine and uric acid were determined. Renal tissue changes were examined in different experimental groups.

Bilirubin levels in metformin group, diabetes with swim training group, swim training with metformin group, UD extract at a dose of 1.25 g/kg group, UD extract at a dose of 625 mg/kg  group, UD extract at a dose of 1.25 g/kg with swim training group, UD extract at a dose of 625 mg/kg with swim training with diabetic control group showed a significant increase (p<0.05). Albumin, creatinine and uric acid levels compared to diabetic control group were not significantly different.

The present results show that swimming training with Urtica Dioica extract has beneficial effects on renal tissue changes in diabetic rats and these effects are dose dependent.