Abstract

WHO had drawn the attention of research investigation into herbal medicine to attest to their efficacy of plants with bioactive healing property that could be of great clinical importance in the health management. Objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Nettle plant extract in controlling the blood glucose level. Sixty (60) male Wistar rats (4-6) week old, weighing (90-180)g were  purchased from the Animal Research Center, Babcock University. The rats were housed in colony cages of seven (8) rats per cage, at 23?C, relative humidity of (30-70) %, under light/dark cycle of 12hrs for 2 week acclimatization. All rats had equal access to free food and water. On 15th day the rats were separated into 4 experimental groups: Positive control, Negative control, Chemotherapeutic and Chemopreventive groups.  Fasting blood glucose test was done to determine the blood glucose level. Oral glucose Tolerance Test was performed using glucometer to determine glucose tolerance level in the rats. The oxidative stress test was done to determine the hepatic enzyme activity. Results showed the means of fast glucose level ranged from (84.63) mg/dl in Positive control group, (97.63) mg/dl in Negative control group, (87.0) mg/dl in Chemotherapeutic group and (75.50) mg/dl for Chemo-preventive group control. Blood glucose levels in Chemotherapeutic and Chemopreventive treatments were within the safe limits of blood glucose levels. Such reduction in blood glucose was attributed to Nettle plant extract effectiveness to lower blood glucose level. Means of oxidative test results indicated that hepatic Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione inhibited the free radical activity efficiently and were improved by Nettle plant extract. In conclusion pathological tests indicated that Nettle plant extract was effectiveness in controlling and prevention of diabetes in rats.