The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Nigella sativa Seeds on Serum Estradiol and Prolactin Levels and obstetric Criteria due to Hypothyroidism in Rat

Abstract

Background:The aim of this study was investigation of the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) seeds on hypothyroid pregnant rats and their progenies.Materials and Methods:Hypothyroidism was induced by propylthiouracil (PTU) 0.03% in drinking water. Female rats were divided into seven groups: control, PTU, PTU-NS (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and NS (100 and 400 mg/kg). All treatments were done 20 days before mating and during pregnancy. The weight of rat dams and progenies, number of progenies and serum T4, estradiol and prolactin (PRL) levels in rat dams were measured for all groups.Results:Serum T4 in all PTU-NS groups before mating was significantly increased versus PTU group. Body weight of rat dams before mating in all groups of PTU-NS was increased versus PTU group by P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively and in NS 100 and NS 400 was increased versus control group (P < 0.001). The number of offspring was significantly decreased in PTU and PTU-NS versus control group. The weight of progenies in NS 400 was higher than control group (P < 0.001) and was increased in PTU-NS 200 and PTU-NS 400 versus PTU group by P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively. Serum PRL level in rat dams in control, PTU, and PTU-NS groups were not statistically different between groups but significantly increased in NS 400 group when compared to control group. Estradiol levels were not significantly different in rat dams at 5 days after delivery.Conclusion:These results demonstrated that feeding of rat dams with NS extract before mating has positive protective effects on progenies. These effects may be due to antioxidant properties of NS in reducing oxidative stress and thyroid damages induced by PTU.

Female infertility and herbal medicine: An overview of the new findings

“…( 2016 ) on the ovariectomized rats treated with N. sativa extract showed that the extract of this plant, in a dose‐dependent manner (300 to 1200 mg/kg), reduced menopausal symptoms including uterine weight/edema loss and decreased serum estradiol level and the number of inflammatory cells in the vagina compared with the control group (Parhizkar et al., 2016 ). The doses of 100 to 400 mg/kg of N. sativa extract decreased the serum level of estradiol and increased prolactin in a dose‐dependent manner in pregnant rats with hypothyroidism, which can be due to the stimulatory effects of phytoestrogens of this plant on dopaminergic neurons, reducing the risk of hypothyroidism (Pakdel et al., 2017 ).…”

EFFECTS OF NIGELLA SATIVA ON FEMALE INFERTILITY: a SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

“…Pakdel, et al showed that the administration of Nigella sativa at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg in hypothyroidism rats could increase prolactin levels in the 400 mg/kg group [13]. According to research by Sima T, et al, Treatment with thymoquinonee 8 and 16 mg/kg for 30 days in PCOS model mice showed an increase in body weight, ovarian morphology, and ovulation.…”

Efficacy of Ayurvedic Interventions in Hypothyroidism

“…19 Apart from that, there are other studies from different group of investigators regarding its protective effects against hypothyroidism-associated abnormality in estradiol and prolactin hormone levels in pregnant rats. 20,21 Haridra (Curcuma longa L.)…”

“…Several studies reported that hypothyroidism can actually modulate the antioxidant defense system, with a decrease in body temperature due to hypometabolism. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Previous studies elucidated the efficiency of curcumin, a common spice in Indian household, in improving the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of the rat brain under PTU-induced hypothyroidism. Induction of hypothyroidism in adult rats by PTU results in intensification of lipid peroxidation (LPO), an indicator of oxidative stress in the cerebellum but not in the cerebral cortex.…”