withaferin-a and Hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism, a thyroid disorder without obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency, occurs in 3%-8% of the global population. Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal], a traditional medicine in Ayurveda, is often prescribed for thyroid dysfunctions.. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients.. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, single-center placebo-controlled study was performed at Sudbhawana Hospital, Varanasi, India between May 2016 and September 2016. Fifty subjects with elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (4.5-10 μIU/L) aged between 18 and 50 were randomized in either treatment (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) groups for an 8-week treatment period.. Ashwagandha root extract (600 mg daily) or starch as placebo. Efficacy Variables: Serum TSH, serum triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels.. A total of four subjects (two from each group) withdrew their consent before the second visit. Eight weeks of treatment with ashwagandha improved serum TSH (p < 0.001), T3 (p = 0.0031), and T4 (p = 0.0096) levels significantly compared to placebo. Ashwagandha treatment effectively normalized the serum thyroid indices during the 8-week treatment period in a significant manner (time-effects: TSH [p < 0.001], T3 [p < 0.001], and T4 [p < 0.001]). Four subjects (8%) (ashwagandha: 1[4%]; Placebo: 3[12%]) out of 50 reported few mild and temporary adverse effects during this study.. Treatment with ashwagandha may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid indices in subclinical hypothyroid patients.

Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Male; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts; Prospective Studies; Thyroid Hormones; Withania

The current aim is to evaluate the effect of ashwagandha root extract (AE) on the neurochemical changes induced in the cortex and hippocampus as a consequence of thyroid dysfunction induced by propylthiouracil (PTU).

Topics: Animals; Cerebral Cortex; Disease Models, Animal; Hypothyroidism; Inflammation; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Rats; Rats, Wistar