PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT LEPIDIUM SATIVUM LINN. SEEDS ON THYROID HORMONES IN MALE RATS

Pharmacological activities have been reported for the seed extracts of Lepidium sativum L.; however, the plant has not been widely studied for its effects on the thyroid gland. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate to possible potential pharmacological activity of ethanolic extract of Lepidium sativum L. seeds on regulation of thyroid hormone concentrations in male rats. Methodology: Each experiment was performed on Male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group I received normal saline for 21 days and served as normal control. Group II received extract seeds of L. sativum at a dose of 200 mg/kg i.p. for 21 days. Groups III was treated with a 25 μg/100 g intraperitoneal (i.p.) T₃ injection for 21 days and; Group IV was treated iopanoic acid (IOP; 100 mg/kg) for 21 days. Results: The levels of the rats’ serum Triiodothyronin (T₃), Thyroxin (T₄) and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed. Thyroid gland specimens were processed for microscopic examination. Group II treated with extract seeds of L. sativum showed significant decline T₃ and T₄ levels together with significant increase in TSH concentrations as compared to control group. Histologically, this group showed congestion and dilatation of blood capillaries, cellular infiltration, follicular disintegration and vacuolar degeneration of some follicular cells.  Conclusion: From the data, it is conformed that administration of L. sativum seed extract decreases the levels of the thyroid hormones indicating its thyroid inhibitory nature similar to other plants.