Goitrogenic/antithyroidal potential of moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) of Indian origin on thyroid status in male albino rats

Abstract

Moringa leaves and spinach used as vegetables containing cyanogens and polyphenols having suspected antithyroidal activity; however, detailed studies in this aspect found unavailable. Goitrogenic/antithyroid potentiality of those plant foods of Indian origin was evaluated. To explore the goitrogenic/antithyroid effect of those plant foods cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates, thiocyanate and polyphenol content were measured. These plant foods were fed with diet regularly to adult male albino rats for 30 and 60 days respectively, followed by evaluation of morphological and functional status of thyroid,as thyroid gland weight, the activity status of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes viz. TPO, Na +-K +-ATPase, deiodinase I, thyroid hormone profiles, thyroid histoarchitecture as well as urinary iodine and thiocyanate. In moringa leaves and spinach fed diet, there was a significant increase in urinary excretion of thiocyanate and iodine, enlargement of thyroid gland along with hypertrophy of thyroid follicles and altered in the activities of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes with concomitant changes of thyroid hormone profiles. Effects were more severe in moringa leaves treated group than that of spinach. Biochemical analysis moringa leaves and spinach reveal that those are rich sources of goitrogens and their prolonged consumption gradually developed a relative state of biochemical and morphological hypothyroidism.

Beneficial Health Effects of Glucosinolates-Derived Isothiocyanates on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…High content of goitrogens (GMG, cyanogenic glucosides, thiocyanate, and polyphenols) in moringa ( M. oleifera Lam.) plant also caused biochemical and morphological hypothyroidism in male albino rats [ 306 ].…”

Miracle Tree Moringa oleifera: Status of the Genetic Diversity, Breeding, In Vitro Propagation, and a Cogent Source of Commercial Functional Food and Non-Food Products

“…Goitrogens are substances that interrupt the production of thyroid hormones by intervening with iodine (I 2 ) uptake by the thyroid gland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goitrogen, accessed on 20 March 2021). It was hypothesized that prolonged consumption of MOL (a rich source of goitrogens) could potentially cause hypothyroidism [144]. The authors fed the adult male albino rats for 1-2 months, which led to the development of hypothyroidism and thus validated their assumption.…”

Chemistry and Significance of Moringa oleifera, a Miracle TreeA Review

“…This was followed by the vegetable bath method, which removed 47.3%. Neither method altered the taste of food, but the moringa seed method was significantly more cost-effective than other treatments, as highlighted by Mondal et al (2019).…”