STINGING nettle/common nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is known since ancient times as a wild source of food and an herbal medicine, but the plant remains underutilized. This investigation was carried to evaluate effect of adding nettle powder on basal diet to lowering diabetes in rats.
The results showed that nettle powder had contained a number of bioactive compounds as protein; crude fiber and ash were 30.54, 10.16and 15.24%, respectively. Nettle powder had contained relatively high amounts of bioactive compounds as tannin, total phenolic (TP) and total dietary fractions. Polyphenols fractions using HPLC had reported that the protocatechuic, quinic andcaffeic acids were the major compounds in phenolic acids, meanwhile, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O- rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside were the major compounds in flavonoids compounds.
The results at the end of biological experimental for diabetic rats fed on basal diet supplemented with 5% and 10% nettle (Urtica dioicaL.) showed that nettle leaves powder may be help to maintain an ideal body weight and feed efficiency ratio. Diabetic rats were showed significant changes of relative weight of some internal organs. Diabetic ratsfed on 5 and 10% nettle powder were showed a significant enhancement of insulin secretion thereby decreasing the blood sugar level. The results from lipid profile showed significant reduction in the level of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL level in diabetic rats. The liver and kidney functions were improved in diabetic rats fed on 5 and 10% nettle (Urtica dioica) in basal diet.
From the above results it could be recommended that Urtica dioica leavespowder had contained highly amounts from protein, dietary fiber and natural antioxidant activity which might be useful in the development of new dietary supplement of versatile nature to improve lipid profile, liver and kidney functions in rats duo to its potent antioxidant property.