| Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder and the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
The use of Nigella sativa, a potent herbal medicine, continues to increase worldwide as an alternative treatment of
several chronic diseases including hyperlipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the
current study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa on thyroid function, serum Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF) – 1, Nesfatin-1 and anthropometric features in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Methods: Forty patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, aged between 22 and 50 years old, participated in the trial
and were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and control receiving powdered Nigella sativa or
placebo daily for 8 weeks. Changes in anthropometric variables, dietary intakes, thyroid status, serum VEGF and
Nesfatin-1 concentrations after 8 weeks were measured.
Results: Treatment with Nigella sativa significantly reduced body weight and body mass index (BMI). Serum
concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies decreased
while serum T3 concentrations increased in Nigella sativa-treated group after 8 weeks. There was a significant
reduction in serum VEGF concentrations in intervention group. None of these changes had been observed in
placebo treated group. In stepwise multiple regression model, changes in waist to hip ratio (WHR) and thyroid
hormones were significant predictors of changes in serum VEGF and Nesgfatin-1 values in Nigella sativa treated
group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our data showed a potent beneficial effect of powdered Nigella sativa in improving thyroid status
and anthropometric variables in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Moreover, Nigella sativa significantly reduced
serum VEGF concentrations in these patients. Considering observed health- promoting effect of this medicinal plant
in ameliorating the disease severity, it can be regarded as a useful therapeutic approach in management of
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Trial registration: Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration number IRCT2015021719082N4- Registered
March-15-2015). |