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Objectives: Thyroid hormones regulate all metabolic activities; therefore, it is not amazing that hepatic; renal dysfunctions and lipid alterations are commonly detected in patients with thyroid disorders. This study estimated some biochemical changes in post pubertal hyperthyroid and hypothyroid mice and their impacts on liver and kidney functions and also on changes in the lipid pattern. In addition, the ameliorating role of Costus root extract supplementation was examined. Material and Methods:  A total of 60 male Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into 5 groups; control, control with costus extract, hypo- and hyper-thyroids post-treated with costus root extract. Results: Present results revealed that, a significant increase in serum thyrotropin (TSH), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea, potassium, chloride, cholesterol and triglycerides levels in hypothyroid mice compared to control. On the other hand; a significant decrease in serumthyroxine (T4), tri‐iodothyronine (T3), albumin, total protein and calcium ions levels in hypothyroid mice compared to control. In contrast to hypothyroidism, a significant increase in serum T3, ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, chloride and total proteins levels in hyperthyroid mice compared to control. On the other hand; a significant decrease in serum TSH, T4, albumin, calcium ions cholesterol and triglycerides levels in hyperthyroid mice compared to control. Treatments of mice with Costus root extract in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism modulates the measured serum parameters. Conclusions: Our results could propose that the extract of Costus roots can be used as an adjuvant co-therapy in hypo- and hyperthyroidism syndromes with propylthiouracil and Eltroxin replacement therapy, respectively

Ethephon (2‐chloroethyl phosphonic acid) is a plant growth promoter used to control the plant growth process by liberating ethylene and stimulating the production of endogenous ethylene. Medicinal plants are sources of novel drug discovery targets. Costus (Saussurea lappa) has been used as traditional Chinese medicine. The current study was conducted to examine the possible modifying effects of costus (S. lappa) root aqueous extract against kidney toxicity induced by ethephon in male rats. A total of 50 adult male rats were divided into five groups (first, control; second, costus; third, ethephon; fourth, posttreated ethephon with costus; fifth, ethephon self‐healing). There is a significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, potassium ions, chloride ions, kidney injury, DNA damage, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expressions in treated rats with ethephon when compared to the control group. In contrast, the treated rats with ethephon revealed a significant decrease in the levels of sodium ions and an insignificant decrease in the calcium ions. Saussurea lappa extract modified these alterations when compared to the control group. As a result, costus root extract significantly reduced rat kidney toxicity after ethephon administration. We recommend costus to be included in diet for its valuable effects, and also producers and consumers should become more aware about the toxic effects of ethephon.

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Methotrexate is effective for the treatment of a number of cancers including breast, lung, leukemia an osteosarcoma. This study was conducted to examine the possible modifying effects of Ginkgo biloba against hippocampal and brain toxicity induced by methotrexate in male albino rats. This could be fulfilled through the histological, immunohistochemically and biochemical analysis of hippocampal brain tissues. The experiments were performed on 36 male albino rats divided into 6 groups; the first and second groups were the control and Gingko groups respectively while the 3rd group methotrexate rat group; the 4th and the 5th groups were co-and post treated Methotrexate rat groups with Gingko respectively and the 6th group was methotrexate self-treated rat group. In brain homogenates Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in methotrexate group showed a significant increase when compared with control group, in contrast methotrexatetreated group also exhibited a significant decrease in brain antioxidants machinery represented by catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH) and total proteins. The histological changes consisted of destruction of oligodendrocytes, sometimes complete over large areas, and sometimes relatively slight. All the rats which survived long enough after treatment showed severe astrocytosis. Rats' brains immunocytochemical results showed that GFAP-positive cells astrocytes increase after Exposure to (MTX) compared with the other groups.