ALLEVIATORY EFFECTS OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. BOTRYTIS) ON THYROID FUNCTION IN FLUORIDE INTOXICATED RATS

Fluorosis is a progressive degenerative disorder. Excess intake of fluoride (F) affects the functioning of the thyroid gland. The present study was conducted to evaluate the alleviatory effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of the cauliflower plant on thyroid function in sodium fluoride (NaF) intoxicated rats. Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of six animals in each: Group I served as the normal control; Group II served as the toxic control; Groups III, IV, and V served as treatment groups and received extract at three doses 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg per kg body weight respectively; and Group VI served as the plant control and received a hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of cauliflower plant in a dose of 400 mg per kg body weight. All groups except I and VI received NaF (100 ppm) through drinking water for 30 days. After completion of the study, the animals were fasted overnight, blood was collected by retro-orbital puncture, and the serum levels of thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Compared to the toxic control group, the administration of the 100 and 200 mg doses of the hydroalcoholic extract of cauliflower leaves resulted significant alleviatory reductions in the levels of total T-4 and the administration of the 200 and 400 mg doses of the extract resulted in significant alleviatory reductions in the levels of total T-3.