The Impact of Zingiber Officinale Decoction on Thyroid Functions in Hypothyroid-Induced Rats.

Background and objective: Zingiber officinale (Ginger) has several pharmacological actions and is extensively employed in traditional medicine for the management of different conditions. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the effects of Ginger with levothyroxine on thyroid function tests and female sex hormone tests in normal and hypothyroid rats. Methods: Forty-two female rats were divided into two groups. The initial group consisted of 12 rats, which were then divided into two smaller groups, each containing 6 rats. The first smaller group acted as a control, while the second subgroup was given a Ginger decoction. The second group consisted of 30 rats with induced hypothyroidism, which were further divided into five smaller groups, each containing 6 rats. The first subgroup served as a positive control group. The second subgroup received aqueous of Ginger. The third subgroup received the decoction with propylthiouracil. The fourth subgroup received levothyroxine. The fifth subgroup received levothyroxine with propylthiouracil. Results: Ginger administration significantly increased serum T3 and decreased serum T4 levels in normal rats. Notably, both ginger and levothyroxine significantly increased serum T3 and T4 levels in hypothyroid rats. In normal rats, daily ginger administration significantly increased serum estrogen and decreased serum progesterone levels. However, in hypothyroid rats, it did not significantly affect either estrogen or progesterone levels.