Cardiac toxicity in experimentally induced hypothyroid rats and alleviation by Withania Somnifera and Shilajit

Abstract

96 female Sprague-drawly rats of 21 days old were divided into 8 groups with twelve rats in each group. Methimazole (0.02 %) was administered for induction of Hypthyroidism and its effects were ameliorated with Shilajt and Withania somnifera @100 mg /Kilo gram body wt. for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, lipid and thyroid profiles were analysed from serum. In each group 6 rats were sacrificed. Heart was collected for molecular studies and estimation of oxidative stress in homogenates. Rest, 48 female rats were mated with 24 euthyroid adult males and all the pregnant rats were administered with drugs as above. The rats after 21 days were then sacrificed and heart was collected for histopathological studies. The glutathione, serum T3 and T4 concentrations, in hypothyroid group were significantly (p