Study the effects of Urtica dioica extract on histomorphometrical structure of rat sciatic nerve following experimental diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism which causes a considerable disorder on centeral peripheral nervous system. It has been reported that Urtica dioica has protective effects on diabetic disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Urtica dioica on histomorphometrical structure of sciatic nerve in diabetic rat. 15 adult male rats (220-250grs) were divided into 3 groups; control, diabetic and diabetic which received Urtica dioica (50mg/kg) orally. Diabetes was induced by IP injection of 60 mg/kg of STZ. After six weeks, samples were taken from anterior, middle and posterior parts of sciatic nerve. 5-6 μ sections were made by embedding paraffin method and stained by H& E. The results showed that the diameter ofsciatic nerve axon and myline were decreased in diabetic rats. These changes were improved by administration of Utrica dioica.