title: In vivo and in vitro evaluation of the effects of Urtica dioica and swimming activity on diabetic factors and pancreatic beta cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urtica dioica (UD) has been identified as a traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of UD extract and swimming activity on diabetic parameters through in vivo and in vitro experiments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult WKY male rats were randomly distributed in nine groups: intact control, diabetic control, diabetic + 625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, diabetic + 100 mg/kg Metformin, diabetic + swimming, diabetic + swimming 625 mg/kg, 1.25 g/kg UD, and diabetic +100 mg/kg Metformin + swimming. The hearts of the animals were punctured, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The entire pancreas was exposed for histologic examination. The effect of UD on insulin secretion by RIN-5F cells in 6.25 or 12.5 mM glucose dose was examined. Glucose uptake by cultured L6 myotubes was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum glucose concentration decreased, the insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity significantly increased in treated groups. These changes were more pronounced in the group that received UD extract and swimming training. Regeneration and less beta cell damage of Langerhans islets were observed in the treated groups. UD treatment increased insulin secretion in the RIN-5F cells and glucose uptake in the L6 myotubes cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Swimming exercises accompanied by consuming UD aqueous extracts effectively improved diabetic parameters, repaired pancreatic tissues in streptozotocin-induced diabetics in vivo, and increased glucose uptake or insulin in UD-treated cells in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Sanandaj Farhangyan University, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranjbari
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Department, Faculty of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Azarbayjani
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Sports Centre, University Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ashril
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yusof
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halim Mokhtar
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Samad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akbarzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Yousif
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Department, Faculty of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr Branch, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahman
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tarverdizadeh
authors.affiliation: Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farzadinia
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutic Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hajiaghaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Sports Centre, University Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. fir_dhn@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Firouzeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dehghan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000628:therapy*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013550:Swimming; D026982:Urtica dioica
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Cholesterol; Diabetes; Insulin resistance; Pancreatic islet beta cells; Swimming exercise; TG; Urtica dioica