Nigella Sativa treatment and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and interleukin 23 (IL-23) in patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

IntroductionHashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The use of herbal medicine continues to increase worldwide as an alternative treatment of several chronic diseases. The aim of the current trial was to investigate the effects of eight weeks oral administrations of Nigella Sativa on interleukin-23 (IL-23), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.MethodsForty patients aged between 22 and 50 years old, with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, participated in the current trial. They were randomly allocated to either an intervention group and received either powdered N. Sativa or a control receiving placebo daily for 8 weeks respectively. Changes in serum concentrations of IL-23, TGF-β, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and body weight were evaluated at baseline and after intervention period.ResultsN. Sativa treatment for eight weeks significantly reduced serum IL-23 concentrations (P = 0.015). Treatment with N. Sativa also significantly reduced thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-TPO antibodies in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Such changes were not observed in the placebo treated group. Serum T3 also increased significantly after treatment (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in body weight after treatment with N. Sativa (P = 0.002).ConclusionResults from this trial showed that there were beneficial effects associated with the use of N. Sativa, specifically improving thyroid status and reducing IL-23 concentrations