Excess use of Momordica charantia extract may not be safe with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation

摘要

Effects of alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia fruits (100, 200, 400 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 15 days) on the alterations in serum thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) concentrations and on hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were studied in adult male mice. Higher concentrations of :M, charantia (400 and 500 mg kg(-1)) decreased the serum concentrations of T-3 and T-4 and enhanced hepatic LPO with a concomitant decrease in CAT activities, indicating a thyroid inhibitory and peroxidative role of the plant extract. However, with the lower doses (100 and 200 mg kg(-1)) these adverse effects mere not seen. Although 200 mg kg(-1) was found to enhance T-3, T-4 was reduced. Since two higher doses inhibited thyroid hormone concentrations and increased hepatic LPO, we suggest that M. charantia fruit extract, when used in excess may prove to be harmful with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation. [References: 15]