The effect of nettle (Urtica dioica) supplementation on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health problem, worldwide, that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Several randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have investigated the effect of nettle (Urtica dioica) supplementation on markers of glycemic status in patients with T2DM, with conflicting results. Therefore, the present study assessed the effect of nettle on some glycemic parameters in patients with T2DM. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from database inception up to June 2019, to identify RCTs investigating the effect of nettle supplementation on glycemic markers, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) concentrations, insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance index, and glycosylated hemoglobin percentage in adults with T2DM. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results of this meta-analysis were reported based on the random effects model. Eight RCTs, comprising 401 participants, were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. Based on the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool, five studies were considered as good quality, one was fair, and two studies were poor, respectively. The results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in FBS concentrations (weighted mean difference WMD: -18.01 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval CI: -30.04 to -5.97, p < .001, I(2) = 94.6%) following nettle supplementation. However, no significant reduction was observed in insulin levels (WMD: 0.83 Hedges' g, 95% CI: -0.26 to 1.92, p = .13, I(2) = 89.4%), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance index (WMD: -0.22, 95% CI: -0.83 to 0.40, p = .49, I(2) = 69.2%), or glycosylated hemoglobin percentage (WMD: -0.77%, 95% CI: -1.77 to 0.22, p = .12, I(2) = 83.0%). The findings of the present study suggest that nettle supplementation may be effective in controlling FBS for T2DM patients. However, further studies are needed to confirm the veracity of these results

THE EFFECT OF PLASMA TREATMENT ON THE PRINTABILITY OF POLYESTER FABRIC USING COCHINEAL NATURAL DYE

Use of synthetic dyes for dyeing of textile fabrics is most problematic environmental concerned for textile industry. The demand of natural colourants for the dyeing of textile fabrics has been increasing. Thus, sustainable novel technologies for textile dyeing are needed that utilize improved colour strength and enhanced performance characteristics of the fabric. This study attempts to highlight the possibility of using cochineal natural dye in the printing of polyester fabrics after surface modification by O2/Ar plasma treatment. The colour strength, air permeability, crease recovery angle of printed fabrics, colour fastness to rubbing, washing and light, were also studied. The surfaces of untreated and plasma-treated polyester fabrics were analysed by SEM to compare the morphological changes. Surface roughness and cracks were indicated after the plasma pretreatment. The results indicated that plasma treatment could improve the printability of polyester fabric compared with untreated samples, with enhanced the adhesion and penetration of printing paste to the surface. The air permeability of printed fabrics has decreased, while the angle of crease recovery has increased. The fastness properties of printed samples were found suitable to very good.</jats:p

WATER REPELLENT BREATHABLE PET/WOOL FABRIC VIA PLASMA POLYMERISATION TECHNOLOGY

Water-repellent textiles are usually prepared by application of hydrophobic polymers such as fluorocarbons on fabrics using padding or spraying methods followed by drying and curing steps. These procedures impart hydrophobicity to the fabric, but harm the physical and handle properties of the fabric. In this study, low-pressure plasma was employed for the polymerization of 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctyl acrylate on PET/Wool fabric for obtaining water-repellent properties with minimum effect on other desirable properties. To compare the results with the conventional industrial processes, a sample was treated with a commercial water-repellent agent using pad-dry-cure method. The water contact angle, bending length, tensile strength, air permeability, and surface morphology of the samples were compared. The plasma-treated sample showed similar water contact angle and higher fastness properties compared with the sample prepared by the conventional method. The tensile strength of the samples was similar, while the air permeability of the plasmatreated sample was higher and the coating was more uniform compared with the sample prepared by the paddry- cure method.</jats:p