Abstract
Background: Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder in humans. It is a significant public health challenge due to its economic burden on individuals and health care systems. Stinging Nettle plant contains suppressive, bio-active compounds that can impact on glycosuria disorder.
Objectives: To investigate the efficiency of stinging Nettle plant Extract in managing diabetes disorder in experimental diabetic rat animals
Methodology: sixty (60) male Wister rats (4-6) week old, weighing 90g- 180g were acquired and acclimatized for 2 weeks. The rats were separated into four experimental groups: Positive control, Negative control, Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive groups. Fasting blood glucose test was carried out to determine the blood glucose level. Oral glucose Tolerance Test was performed using glucometer to determine glucose tolerance level in rats. The oxidative stress test was done to determine the hepatic enzyme activity. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA using SAS, 2004. Significant differences were measured at p<0>
Results: results showed the means of fasting glucose level for type 1 diabetes ranged from 84.63mg/dl in Positive control group, 97.63mg/dl in Negative control group, 87.0 mg/dl in Chemotherapeutic group and 75.50 mg/dl in Chemo-preventive group control. For type II diabetes under negative control 106.00 mg/dl, treatment with Nestle plant 102.00 mg/dl and treatment with metformin drug 140.00 mg/dl. Blood glucose levels in Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive treatments were within the safe limits of blood glucose level. Such reduction in blood glucose was attributed with Nettle plant extract effectiveness to lower blood glucose level. Means of oxidative test results indicated that hepatic Superoxide Dismutase was (5.45), Catalase (1.09) and Glutathione (3.77) against the free radical activity of 0.68mg/dl.
Conclusion: Pathological tests indicated that Nettle plant extract was effectiveness in controlling and managing of diabetes in rats. Oxidative results indicated that antioxidant enzyme activities suppressed free radical activity effectively.
Implication for policy: the study will make policy makers to make health policy towards the use of herbal remedy in the management and controlling of diabetes in human.
