Effect of extract of Urtica dioica on insulin and C-peptide secretion from rats (RIN5F) pancreatic beta cells

Plants are being used in the treatment of diabetes in traditional system of medicine. Urtica dioica (UD) has a variety of uses in traditional medicine. There are few reports about hypoglycemic mechanisms of U. dioica. The present study was designed to determine the possible mechanisms of hypoglycemic effects of UD on RIN5F rat pancreatic beta cells in vitro models. Beta cells were prepared in multiple flasks containing culture medium. Alcoholic extract of UD at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mu g/ml was added to flasks. Insulin and C-peptide level were measured at 0, 60, 120 and 80 min. Insulin level in pancreatic cells media before and after addition of UD extract at different concentrations and in different times did not changed significantly (p > 0.2). Also, C-peptide (mu g/ml) levels in these media with dose of 50, 100 and 200 mu g/ml UD, did not change significantly. The results of the present study demonstrated that alcoholic extract of UD was unable to increase insulin and C-peptide secretion from RIN5F pancreatic beta cells. Hence, the hypoglycemic effects of UD are not based on enhancement of insulin secretion and needs more study.