Role of ficus carica Leaves Extract in Treatment of Hypothyroidism

Abstract

This study was conducted to demonstrate the role of  alcoholic extract from ficus carica leaves in the treatment  of  hypothyroidism disease which induced by carbimazole drug. Forty  male rats were divided into five  groups,  eight  for each . group I selected as negative control  and administered orally with normal saline alone, group II served as positive control and treated by carbimazole anti-thyroid  drug for six weeks ,  group  III  was treated by plant extract (500 mg /kg, bw) for six weeks, the  fourth group IV was treated by carbimazole drug (5 mg) for six week to induce hypothyroidism   and then  treated by plant extract (500 mg /kg , bw) , and the fifth V group was  treated by thyroxin drug (100 mg) for six week instead of plant extract.          The results showed  insignificant differences (P<0.05) in body weight gain in the fourth  group ( carbimazole and plant extract) when compared  with the first  group (normal saline alone), second group (carbimazole alone), third group (plant extract alone  , while the results demonstrated  that a significant  increase (P<0.05)   in body weight gain when  compared with fifth groups (carbimazole and thyroxine). While the results revealed insignificant differences (P<0.05) in the concentrations of  T3 and T4  in the fourth (carbimazole & plant extract), fifth  groups  (carbimazole & thyroxin drug ) and the  third group (plant extract alone) when compared  with the first  group ( normal saline alone ), but  there was  a significant increase (P<0.05)  when compared with the  second group (carbimazole alone) , in addition  the  results indicated a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared  with the third  group, Furthermore, the results revealed insignificant difference (P<0.05) in TSH concentration in the fourth (carbimazole & plant extract), fifth groups (carbimazole & thyroxin drug)   and the  third group (plant extract alone) when compared  with the first  group (normal saline alone) , also the data showed a significant decrease(P<0.05) when compared with the  second group (carbimazole alone). In conclusion, it is possible to use methanolic plant extract from ficus carica leaves in the regulation of hypothyroidism due to the presence of phytochemical components that can affect the mechanism of T3 and T4 production by the thyroid gland.