Potential Thyrotropic and Antihypercholesteronemic Activity Exhibited by Ethanolic Extract of Crataeva nurvala Bark

Charaka, supports that the imbalance (Ojus) between the three bodily humours (doshas), along with the fat (Meda) leads to enlargement of the thyroid gland (Galaganda) and metabolic syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Crataeva nurvala (CNet) bark, on free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and serum cholesterol (CHO) in Swiss albino female adult mice over conventional therapy. In this study, the animals were divided into four groups who were made hypothyroid using 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) for first 15 days and then Group I, treated with vehicle, Group II, treated with LT4 (14.56 µg/kg), Group III, treated with CNet 400 mg/kg and Group IV treated with CNet 600 mg/kg (p.o.) for another 15 days. The variation in the biochemical parameters was recorded on Day 15th and Day 30th. The results were expressed as mean ± SEM, using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni posttests. In comparison with the standard i.e. LT4, significant (***P<0.001) thyroid stimulant activity was shown by CNet 600 mg/kg, with significant reduction in cholesterol levels whereas, less marked and erratic response with CNet 400 mg/kg was received. Crataeva nurvala was found effective at higher dose, that suggest its beneficial role in treating hypothyroidism and associated hypercholesteronemia.