Abstract
Background: Hypothyroidism is marked by increased Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels and decreased T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and T4 (tetra-iodothyronine/thyroxine) levels. Hypothyroidism-induced obesity has been linked to various metabolism-related abnormalities like slowed down basal metabolic rate (BMR). Momordica charantia Linn. fruit has traditionally been used for reducing obesity.
Objective: Administration of Momordica charantia Linnaeus extracts for the treatment of hypothyroidism- induced obesity in mice and study of related biochemical parameters and thyroid histology.
Methods: Hypothyroidism-induced obesity was induced by administering methimazole to the mice for 21 consecutive days and then investigating the disease reversal properties of Momordica charantia aqueous extract, alcoholic extracts, and standard drug thyroxine following their administration to mice for 21 consecutive days. Blood sampling was done to obtain the biochemical parameters normal values, hypothyroidism-induced obesity levels, and levels after treatment with the test extracts. Various biochemical parameters like thyroid profile {TSH, T3, and T4} and lipid profile {Total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very lowdensity lipoprotein (VLDL)} and physical parameters like body weight, waist circumference, and food and water intake were measured. Liver and heart were dissected from the mice of each group for oxidative stress measurement by estimation of serum Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Catalase levels. The thyroid gland was dissected from the mice of each group for histopathological analysis.
Results: Serum MDA levels had significantly increased (p < 0.001), whereas the values of GSH and catalase had decreased significantly (0.001) in hypothyroid obese mice. The standard and test groups showed attenuation of MDA levels (p < 0.0001) and elevation of GSH (p < 0.0001) and catalase levels (p < 0.0001) back toward normal measurements. After the induction of hypothyroid obesity, the thyroid profile and lipid profile both had disturbed significantly and the levels of TSH, TC, TGs, and VLDL elevated, whereas the levels of T3, T4 hormones, and HDL decreased significantly. After the treatment with the test plant extracts and standard drug, the levels of TSH, (p < 0.0001) TC (p < 0.05), TGs (0.0001), and VLDL (p < 0.0001) attenuated and the levels of T3 (p < 0.0001), T4 (p < 0.0001), and HDL (p < 0.0001) elevated back towards the normal range. Histopathological analysis and the hypothyroid obese group thyroid showed significant shrinkage of thyroid globule size wise and a significant decrease in colloid levels when compared with the control group, whereas the standard and test groups showed reversal of the thyroid globule size back towards normal.
Conclusion: The plant extracts can be used as a safe herbal treatment for hypothyroid obesity.
Graphical Abstract
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