Abstract

Introduction: Improvements in lipid profiles and blood pressure are essential for preventing complications of diabetes. Considering the strong inclination people have to use herbal medicines, we aimed to investigate the effects of hydro alcoholic nettle extract on lipid profiles and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 type 2 diabetes patients, randomly divided into two groups the intervention (n=25) and control (n=25). Subjects in the intervention group consumed 100 mg/kg of hydro alcoholic nettle extract daily, while those in the control group consumed 100 mg/kg of placebo daily for 8 weeks. Lipid profiles, systolic) and diastolic blood pressure were measured at baseline and at the end of 8th week of intervention. Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in levels of triglycerides (TG), SBP and plasma atherogenic indexes (LDL-C / HDL-C and TC / HDL-C) (P<0.05), and a significant increase in level of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL-C) (P<0.05), at the end of 8th week of intervention, compared to control group.  No significant changes however were observed in Total Cholesterol (TC), Low density lipoproteins (LDL-C), and DBP at the end of 8th week of intervention. Conclusion: Hydro alcoholic extract of nettle had positive effects on the lipid profiles and blood pressure status of type 2 diabetes patients, indicating its consumption can be recommended as auxiliary therapy in patients for type 2 diabetes.