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. 2024;19(1):23-32.
doi: 10.5114/pg.2023.130142. Epub 2023 Jul 31.

Inhibitory effect of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet

Kenan Kaçak  1 , Turan Yaman  2 , Ahmet Uyar  3 , Ahmet Ufuk Kömüroğlu  4
Affiliations

Inhibitory effect of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet

Kenan Kaçak et al. Prz Gastroenterol. 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: The 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: 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: Urtica dioica; body weight gain; histopathology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of the HFD and UD on the body weights of the rats
Figure 2
Figure 2
A – Normal histological structure of the liver in the Control group. B – Sharply circumscribed fat vacuoles of varying sizes (arrows) in the hepatocytes, and coagulative necrosis (arrowheads) and vena centralis congestion in the HFD group. C – Sharply circumscribed fat vacuoles (arrowheads) of varying sizes observed in the hepatocytes of the centrilobular region in the HFD + UD group. D – Normal histological structure of the liver (H&E) in the UD group
Figure 3
Figure 3
Oil Red O staining results in the groups. A – No deposits observed in the Control group. B – Large orange-red oil deposits observed in HFD group (arrows). C – Smaller orange-red oil deposits observed in the HFD + UD group (arrows). D – No deposits observed in the UD group
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of the HFD and UD on the triglyceride levels. Each value represents the mean ± SD. Different superscripts in each column represent statistical significance at p < 0.05
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effects of the HFD and UD on the HDL levels. Each value represents the mean ± SD. Different superscripts in each column represent statistical significance at p < 0.05
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effects of the HFD and UD on the LDL levels. Each value represents the mean ± SD. Different superscripts in each column represent statistical significance at p < 0.05
Figure 7
Figure 7
Effects of the HFD and UD on the cholesterol levels. Each value represents the mean ± SD. Different superscripts in each column represent statistical significance at p < 0.05
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