Regulation of Thyroid Function in Mice with Extracts of Emblica officinalis L. and Bauhinia purpurea L.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of Emblica officinalis L. and Bauhinia purpurea L. extracts in regulating thyroid functions was studied in male mice. Oral administration of Emblica officinalis L. fruit extract at 30 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) each day for 20 days decreased serum T3 and T4 concentrations and hepatic O2 consumption. In contrast, daily administration of Bauhinia purpurea at 2.5 mg/kg b. wt. each day for 20 days increased serum T4 concentration and O2 consumption. Both the plant extracts exhibited hepatoprotective effects as evidenced by decreased lipid per-oxidation. In animals treated with Emblica officinalis, activities of super-oxide dismutase and catalase remained unaffected, but a significant increase in both of these antioxidative enzymes was observed in Bauhinia purpurea treated animals, indicating that extract of Emblica officinalis, but not the extract of Bauhinia purpurea, may have direct free radical scavenging role.