Abstract
Inhibitory effect of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet
- Siirt State Hospital, Siirt, Turkey
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University Van, Turkey
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
- Health Service Vocational School of Higher Education, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
Introduction
Leaves and seeds of Urtica dioica (UD) are used in folk treatments for many diseases. Anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiallergenic properties of UD have been reported.
Aim
This study sought to uncover the effects of nettle seed (Urtica dioica; UD) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet (HFD).
Material and methods
Male Wistar albino rats (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups, comprising a control group, a group that received a HFD (HFD group), a group that received UD extracts (UD group), and a group that received a HFD as well as UD extracts (HFD + UD group). UD extracts were given a daily dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight orally for 75 days.
Results
The HFD led to weight gain that was partially moderated by the UD extract. Histopathological findings in the HFD + UD group were uniformly significantly lower than those in the HFD group. Serum alanine transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in the HFD group than in the HFD + UD group, and the HDL levels were lower in the HFD group than in the control group and the HFD + UD group.
Conclusions
The cholesterol levels were discovered to be highest in the HFD + UD group. Therefore, it was concluded that the UD extract did not completely protect the rats against body weight gain.
Keywords
histopathology, body weight gain, Urtica dioica
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