Study of Salvia Officinalis Hydroethanolic Extract on Serum Thyroid Hormone Levels in Hypothyroid Male Rat

Introduction & Medicinal plants are widely used throughout the world. Hypothyroid-ism is an important hormonal disease that causes some disorders in body organs. Salvia offi-cinalis has been known as a medicinal plant since ancient times. In this study the Salvia offi-cinalis extract (SOE) effects on thyroid hormones and TSH in hypothyroid rats have been investigated. In this experimental study the SOE extract was prepared and 40 male rats were randomly divided in five groups. Control، propylthiouracil (PTU) in 4 groups + SOE. The animals were induced hypothyroidism by administration of PTU 0. 1% orally in tap water for 14 days. The blood samples were collected and T3 & T4 and TSH hormones were analyzed. Hypothyroid groups were divided into 4 groups and received (PTU+ SOE 40 mg/kg +levothyroxine sodium، 15mcg/kg، orally in tap water) and LV+ SOE). All test groups were treated with SOE and levothyroxine sodium for one week. The blood samples were col-lected and for T3 & T4 and TSH hormones were analyzed at the end of the 3rd week. All data were expressed as mean ± SEM and all statistical procedures were performed by MANOVA test. Our results showed that the T3 & T4 plasma levels in hypothyroid animals treated by SOE had significant differences (P<0. 05) compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that the SOE has stimulatory effect on thyroid gland func-tion and raises plasma T3 & T4 levels.