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Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation of Nasturtium Officinale on Thyroid Function: An Experimental Study on Models of Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Publisher



Nazari N1 ; Sadati Lamardi SN1 ; Sabzevari O2 ; Taghipour Z3 ; Hassani S4 ; Khanavi M5 ; Karimi M6 ; Rahimi R1, 7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Toxicology and Poisoning Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
  4. 4. Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. PhytoPharmacology Interest Group (PPIG), Universal arch Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran

Source: Research Journal of Pharmacognosy Published:2025


Abstract

Background and objectives: Nasturtium officinale, is a medicinal plant with antioxidant properties and is rich in iodine, glucosinolates, vitamins, and minerals. In Persian folk medicine, it is used for the management of thyroid conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of watercress on the hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism models. Methods: Seventy-eight rats divided into 13 groups were used. Hypothyroid groups (group 1-4) and hyperthyroid groups (group 10-13) were induced by methimazole (60 mg/kg/day) and levothyroxine (600 μg/kg/day), respectively. Groups 5-9 remained as normal groups without any intervention. After 6 weeks of induction, models were approved by measuring triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) serum levels. Afterward, hypothyroid rats received plant decoction 250 and 500 mg/kg/day, hyperthyroid rats received plant powder 250 and 500 mg/kg/day and normal rats received decoction and powder in both dosages. The treatment kept going for 4 weeks. T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels, body weight, thyroid weight, thyroid histological parameters, and Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) activity were measured. Results: Plant decoction changed the serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH, body and thyroid weight, thyroid histological parameters, and TPO activity in hypothyroid rats in favour of hypothyroidism. Administering plant powder changed the mentioned factors toward normalization in hyperthyroid rats. In normal groups, both the powder and the decoction changed the factors toward hypothyroidism. These changes were not dose-dependent. Conclusion: Watercress seems to be a suitable complementary medicine or functional food for hyperthyroidism; however, it may worsen hypothyroidism. Clinical studies are required to achieve more reliable results. © 2025, Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy. All rights reserved.