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

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-alpha) 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-alpha 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-alpha 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-alpha and fecal calprotectin as inflammatory factors in patients with IBD.