A Comparative Evaluation of Nephroprotective Property of Urtica dioica L. Aqueous Extract and Glibenclamide in Diabetic Mice

Document Type : Original paper

Authors

1 Biotechnology and Medicinal Plants Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

4 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

5 Research Center of Oils and Fats (RCOF), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Background and objectives:Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder with severe effects on quality of life. Decreasing serum glucose levels and normalization of kidney parameters is of great clinical importance for treating diabetes. Urtica dioica L. has been used in as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and antibacterial agent. To our knowledge, there are little evidences about the anti-diabetic and nephroprotective actions of U. dioica L. The present study was carried out to assess the anti-diabetic and nephroprotective activities of U. dioica aqueous extract (UDAE) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice for 20 days. Methods:  Male mice were divided into six groups: normal control, untreated diabetic, diabetic mice receiving 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg of plant extract (groups UDAE30, UDAE90 and UDAE270, respectively) or 30 mg/kg glibenclamide. At 20th day, the mice killed, dissected, then blood and kidney samples were collected for biochemical and histological parameters analysis. Results: Biochemically, UDAE at all doses and glibenclamide could significantly (p0.05) reduce the raised levels of blood glucose, urea and creatinine when compared to the untreated group. Histologically, differentdoses of UDAE (especially UDAE270) and glibenclamide could significantly (p0.05) decrease the volume and length of the renal structures as compared to the untreated group. Conclusion: These results indicated thatUDAE could improve diabetic related metabolic derangement such as hyperglycemia and elevated kidney markers.

 

Keywords

Main Subjects


[1] Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Miles JM, Fisher JN. Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009; 32(7): 1335-1343.
[2] De Fronzo RA. From the triumvirate to the ominous octet: a new paradigm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes. 2009; 58(4): 773-795.
[3] Druker DJ. Enhancing incretin action for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003; 26(10): 2929-2940.
[4] Breyer MD, Bottinger E, Brosius FC, Coffman TM, Harris RC, Heilig CW, Sharma K. Mouse models of diabetic nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005; 16(1); 27-45.
[5] Brosius FC, Alpers CE, Bottinger EP, Breyer MD, Coffman TM, Gurley SB, Harris RC, Kakoki M, Kretzler M, Leiter EH, Levi M, McIndoe RA, Sharma K, Smithies O, Susztak K, Takahashi N, Takahashi T. Mouse models of diabetic nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009; 20(12): 2503-2512.
[6] Lenzen S. The mechanisms of alloxan- and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Diabetologia. 2008; 51(2): 216-226.
[7] Tesch GH, Allen TJ. Rodent models of streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy. Nephrology (Carlton). 2007; 12(3): 261-266.
[8] Rerup CC. Drugs producing diabetes through damage of the insulin secreting cells. Pharmacol Rev. 1970; 22(4): 485-518.
[9] Weiss RB. Streptozocin: a review of its pharmacology, efficacy, and toxicity. Cancer Treat Rep. 1982; 66(3): 427-438.
[10] Kraynak AR, Storer RD, Jensen RD, Kloss MW, Soper KA, Clair JH, DeLuca JG, Nichols WW, Eydelloth RS. Extent and persistence of streptozotocin-induced DNA damage and cell proliferation in rat kidney as determined by in vivo alkaline elution and BrdUrd labeling assays. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1995; 135(2): 279-286.
[11] Palm F, Ortster H, Hansell P, Liss P, Carlsson PO. Differentiating between effects of streptozotocin per seand subsequent hyperglycemia on renal function and metabolism in the streptozotocin diabetic rat model. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2004; 20(6): 452-459.
[12] Tay YC, Wang Y, Kairaitis L, Rangan GK, Zhang C, Harris DCH. Can murine diabetic nephropathy be separated from superimposed acute renal failure? Kidney Int. 2005; 68(1): 391-398.
[13] Farzaei MH, Zangeneh MM, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh A. Stereological assessment of nephroprotective effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil against carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Int J Morphol. 2018; 36(2): 750-757.
[14] Hagh-Nazari L, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Tahvilian R, Moradi R. Stereological study of kidney in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice treated with ethanolic extract of Stevia rebaudiana (bitter fraction). Comp Clin Pathol. 2007; 26(2): 455-463.
[15] Najafi F, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Hagh-Nazari L. Antidiabtic and hepatoprotective effects of bitter fraction of Stevia rebaudiana alcoholic extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci. 2007; 16(6): 493-504.
[16] Zangeneh MM, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh A, Tahvilian R, Najafi F. Amelioration of renal structural changes in STZ-induced diabetic mice with ethanolic extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch. Comp Clin Pathol. 2018; 27(4): 861-867.
[17] Zangeneh MM, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh A, Najafi F, Tahvilian R. Hypoglycemic, nephroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana (sweet fraction) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. J Ardabil Univ Med Sci. 2018; 17(4): 437-446.
[18] Goodarzi N, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Najafi F, Tahvilian R. Protective effects of ethanolic extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritschon CCl4- induced hepatotoxicity in mice. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci. 2017; 16(3): 227-238.
[19] Sherkatolabbasieh H, Hagh-Nazari L, Shafiezadeh S, Goodarzi N, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A. Ameliorative effect of the ethanolic extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in mice: A stereological examination. Arch Biol Sci. 2017; 69(3): 535-543.
[20] Faramarzi E, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Moradi R. Effect of Cinnamomum zelanicumon oil on hyponeophagia anxiety test in Balb C male mice. Online J Vet Res. 2017; 21(2): 77-80.
[21] Ghashghaii A, Hashemnia M, Nikousefat Z, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A. Wound healing potential of methanolic extract of Scrophularia striata in rats. Pharm Sci. 2017; 23(4): 256-263.
[22] Khare CP. Indian medicinal plants an illustrated dictionary. New York: Springer Science Business Media LLC, 2007.
[23] Guil‑Guerrero J, Rebolloso‑Fuentes M, Torija Isasa M. Fatty acids and carotenoids from stinging nettle (Uritca dioica L.). J Food Compost Anal. 2003; 16(2): 111‑119.
[24] Wetherilt H. Evaluation of Urtica species as potential sources of important nutrients. Dev Food Sci. 1992; 29(1): 15‑25.
[25] Krystofova O, Adam V, Babula P, Zehnalek J, Beklova M, Havel L, Kizek R. Effects of various doses of selenite on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010; 7(10): 3804‑3815.
[26] Rafajlovska V, Kavrakovski Z, Simonovska J, Srbinoska M. Determination of protein and mineral contents in stinging nettle. Qual Life. 2013; 4(1-2): 26‑30.
[27] Kataki MS, Murugamani V, Rajkumari A, Mehra PS, Awasthi D, Yadav RS. Antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anthelmintic activities of methanol extract of Urtica dioica L. Leaves. Pharm Crops. 2012; 3(1): 38‑46.
[28] Shackebaei D, Godini A, Abolghazi M, Majnouni M, Hesari M. Protection of ischemic and reperfused rat heart by aqueous extract of Urtica dioica. Int Cardiovasc Res J. 2010; 4(3): 107‑111.
[29] Gulcin I, Kufrevioglu OI, Oktay M, Buyukokuroglu ME. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiulcer and analgesic activities of nettle (Urtica dioica L.). J Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 90(2-3): 205-215.
[30] Hadizadeh I, Peivastegan B, Kolahi M. Antifungal activity of nettle (Urtica dioica L.), colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad), oleander (Nerium oleander L.) and konar (Ziziphus spinachristi L.) extracts on plants pathogenic fungi. Pak J Biol Sci. 2009; 12(1): 58‑63.
[31] Modarresi‑Chahardehi A, Ibrahim D, Fariza‑Sulaiman S, Mousavi L. Screening antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Urtica dioica. Rev Biol Trop. 2012; 60(4): 1567‑1576.
[32] Zlatko J, Miroslav K, Zorica P. Grain‑protective properties of herbal extracts against the bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus Say. Ind Crops Prod. 2007; 26(1): 100‑104.
[33] Alisi CS, Emejulu AA, Nwagou LA, Onyema OO. Decreased cardiovascular risk and resistance to hyperlipemia‑induced hepatic damage in rats by aqueous extract of Urtica dioica. Afr J Biochem Res. 2008; 2(4): 102‑106.
[34] Golalipour J, Khori V. The protective activity of Urtica dioica leaves on blood glucose concentration and beta‑cells instreptozotocin‑diabetic rats. Pak J Biol Sci. 2007; 10(8): 1200‑1204.
[35] Wetherilt H. Nutritional evaluation of Urtica species. In: Kavalali G, Ed. Urtica. London: Taylor and Francis, 2003.
[36] Koch E. Extracts from fruits of saw palmetto (Sabal serrulata) and roots of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): viable alternatives in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and associated lower urinary tracts symptoms. Planta Med. 2001; 67(6): 489‑500.
[37] Tahri A, Yamani S, Legssyer A, Aziz M, Mekhfi H, Bnouham M, Ziyyat A. Acute diuretic, natriuretic and hypotensive effects of a continuous perfusion of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica in the rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 73(1-2): 95‑100.
[38] Nahata A, Dixit VK. Evaluation of 5α‑reductase inhibitory activity of certain herbs useful as antiandrogens. Andrologia. 2014; 46(6): 592‑601.
[39] Akbay P, Basaran AA, Undeger U, Basaran N. In vitro immunomodulatory activity of flavonoid glycosides from Urtica dioica. Phytother Res. 2003; 17(1): 34‑37.
[40] Kanter M, Coskun O, Budancamanak M. Hepatoprotective effects of Nigella sativa L. and Urtica dioica Linn. on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride‑treated rats. World J Gastroenterol. 2005; 11(42): 6684‑6688.
[41] Riehemann K, Behnke B, Schulze‑Osthoff K. Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an anti‑rheumatic remedy, inhibit the pro‑inflammatory transcription factor NF‑KappaB. FEBS Lett. 1999; 442(1): 89‑94.
[42] Braendgaard H, Gundersen HJ. The impact of recent stereological advances on quantitative studies of the nervous system. J Neurosci Methods. 1986; 18(1-2): 39-78.
[43] Gundersen HJ, Bendtsen TF, Korbo L, Marcussen N, Møller A, Nielsen K, Nyengaard JR, Pakkenberg B, Sorensen FB, Vesterby A. Some new, simple and efficient stereological methods and their use in pathological research and diagnosis. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand. 1992; 96(5): 379-394.
[44] Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA. Stereological tools in biomedical research. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2003; 75(4): 469-486.
[45] Moradi R, Hajialiani M, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Tahvilian R, Hidaryan H, Rezaeeasl N, Kohneshin A. Antibacterial properties of an Iranian ethnomedicinal plant. Int J Ayu Pharm Chem. 2017; 6(3): 128-137. 
[46] Poorshamohammad C, Souri N, Amini Z, Kosari F, Jamshidpour R, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A. Cucurbita moschata: a plant with antibacterial properties. Int J Curr Med Pharm Res. 2017; 3(2): 1356-1359.
[47] Pooyanmehr M, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A, Almasi M. Effect of Verbascum thapsus aqueous extract on Escherichia coli O157:H7. Online J Vet Res. 2017; 21(9): 580-583.
[48] Mohana-Lakshmi S, Usha-Kiran-Reddy T, Sandhya-Rani KS. A review on medicinal plants for nephroprotective activity. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2012; 5(4): 8-14.
[49] Grevsen K, Frette XC, Christensen LP. Concentration and composition of flavonol glycosides and phenolic acids in aerial plants of stinging nettles (Urtica dioica L.) are affected by nitrogen fertilization and by harvest time. Eur J Hortic Sci. 2008; 73(1): 20‑27.
[50] Ahangarpour A, Mohammadian M, Dianat M. Antidiabetic effect of hydroalcohalic Urtica dioica leaf extract in male rats with fructose‑induced insulin resistance. Iran J Med Sci. 2012; 37(3): 181‑186.
[51] Al‑Wasfi RM, Jabaar Al‑Kaabee HJ, Dergham M, Hameed AF. Studying the hypoglycemic and the antibacterial activity of various plant extract of Urtica dioica. Alkufa J Biol. 2012; 4(2): 232‑242.
[52] Farzami B, Ahmadvand D, Vardasbi S, Majin FJ, Khaghani Sh. Induction of insulin secretion by a component of Urtica dioica leave extract in perfused Islets of Langerhans and its in vivo effects in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003; 89(1): 47‑53.
[53] Mishra S, Ranjan-Pani S, Sahoo S. Anti-nephrotoxic activity of some medicinal plants from tribal rich pockets of Odisha. Pharmacogn Res. 2014; 6(3): 210-217.