The aim of current study was conducted to evaluate the prevention role of Withania somnifera supplement on thyroid hormones of males rabbits induced hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil (PTU). Twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups: the first group received tap water only (control group), the second group received Withania somnifera supplement at a dose of 500 mg/kg B.W., while the third group received PTU at a dose of 100 mg/kg B.W. and finally the forth group T2 was received both PTU and Withania somnifera supplement. Blood samples were collected at the start (zero time) and at the end of the study after 30 days for analysis. The animals were euthanized to obtain the thyroid gland for histopathological study. The results showed the thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) levels were significantly increased (P< 0.05) and the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was decreased in group treated with both PTU and Withania somnifera supplement compared with control and other treated groups. In contrast, the PTU treated group showed a significant reduction (P< 0.05) in T4 and T3 hormones levels with an increase in TSH levels compared with the other treated groups. The results for body weight, body temperature and thyroglobulin (TG) showed no significant differences between all treated groups.The histopathological changes of Withania somnifera supplement group showed a marked increase in variably-sized thyroid follicles with varying amounts of intraluminal pink colloid. In contrast, the thyroid of PTU-treated animals showed hypothyroid changes and architectural distortion, characterized by a decrease in the size of most follicles, while the thyroids section tissues of the group treated with both PTU and Withania somnifera supplement showed a significant reversal of histological changes with most follicles restored. The current study concluded the using of Withania somnifera supplement is improved the production of thyroid hormones by stimulating the thyroid gland lead to increase the biosynthesis of T4 and T3 hormones.
Keywords | Hypothyroidism, Ashwagandha, Propylthiouracil, Histopathology, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, Thyroglobulin, Thyroid-stimulating hormone, Body weight, Body temperature