The effect of Urtica Dioica leaf extract intake on serum TNF-α,stool calprotectin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A double-blind,placebo-controlled,randomized,clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in which inflammatory factors are thought to play an important role.

OBJECTIVE:

This study examined the effects of Urtica dioica leaf extract on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and fecal calprotectin as inflammation markers and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS:

This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial, conducted on 64 patients with IBD. The participants were divided into a Urtica Dioica group (n = 32) and a placebo group (n = 32) by permuted block randomization. Subjects received three tablets daily for 12 weeks of either hydroalcoholic nettle extract (400 mg) or a placebo. Levels of TNF-α in serum, fecal calprotectin and ESR were assessed at baseline and at the end of study.

RESULTS:

59 participants completed the trial. After 12 weeks, levels of TNF-α and fecal calprotectin showed a significant reduction in the Urtica Dioica group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the level of ESR between the groups at the end of the study.

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate that supplementation with hydroalcoholic nettle extract can improve levels of TNF-α and fecal calprotectin as inflammatory factors in patients with IBD.