Effects of Commiphora mukul, Withania somnifera and Thyroxine on Thyroid Profile in Murine Model of Hypothyroidism

Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism are on the rise these days due to unhealthylifestyle and nutritional deficiencies which calls for research in this domain. Monotherapy with thyroxine isconsidered the main line of treatment up till now but besides its beneficial role in normalizing thyroidhormone levels, it has serious cardiac effects which leads to the search of safer natural remedies. Commiphoramukul and Withanias omnifera are considered two such plants with beneficial role in correcting T3 and T4levels respectively. However keeping in mind the diagnostic importance of TSH, the effects of these phytoextracts on TSH levels needs to be established. Aims & Objectives: So the present study is designed toexplore the effects of Ethanolic extract of Commiphora mukul (CMEE) and Withania somnifera (WSEE) onT3, T4 and TSH levels keeping thyroxine as a gold standard in murine model of hypothyroidism. Place andduration of study: This study was carried out in the animal house of PGMI, Lahore. Total duration of studywas 38 days. Material & Methods: 50 female rats were divided into 5 groups. G-1 the control group. G-2received methimazole 60mg/kg/day for 21 days in order to induce hypothyroidism and left untreated for selfrecovery & G3-5 were induced with methimazole in the same way. After induction all the groups were treatedfor 15 days, G-3: CMEE 0.2g/kg/day orally, G4: WSEE 1.4g/kg/day orally and G-5 received the goldstandard Thyroxin 0.6μg/100gm BW S/C. Thyroid function tests were performed in all groups on Day 1,repeated on Day 22 after methimazole administration and on Day 38 following completion of treatment.Results: The results showed that both CMEE and WSEE corrected T3 and T4 levels to significant extent.CMEE had more effect on T3 levels whereas WSEE corrected T4 levels more. TSH levels were also revertedto normal showing the potential of both these extracts to correct TSH besides T3, T4 levels. Conclusion: Thisproves that these extracts may play a significant role in correcting thyroid profile (T3, T4 & TSH) if usedclinically for the treatment of hypothyroidism. However, clinical research is highly recommended in thisdomain.Key words: Commiphora mukul, Withania somnifera, hypothyroidism, thyroxine.