Published Paper Details:

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder marked by reduced production of thyroid hormones, leading to various metabolic imbalances. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is frequently employed to experimentally induce hypothyroidism in animal models for the assessment of potential treatments. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate the therapeutic effects of two traditional Ayurvedic herbs, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract and Guggul (Commiphora mukul) gum resin, in PTU-induced hypothyroidism in female Wistar rats. The animals were divided into five groups: a normal control group, a hypothyroid control group (PTU-treated), and three treatment groups that received PTU along with either Ashwagandha or Guggul & Standard. Various parameters including lipid profile, serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH, as well as body weight, daily food intake, and blood glucose levels were monitored. The findings revealed that both Ashwagandha and Guggul effectively counteracted PTU-induced disruptions in thyroid hormone levels. However, Ashwagandha-treated rats exhibited more pronounced improvements in thyroid function compared to those treated with Guggul. These results suggest that both herbs possess significant thyroid-supportive properties, and their combined use could be explored as a complementary, natural strategy for managing hypothyroidism.