Effect of Nigella sativa on thyroid function in patients with hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine: a triple-blind randomized controlled trial

Fatemeh Emadi | Maryam Fatemi Tekieh | Mohammad Gholami | Fatemeh Esfahanian | Elham Emaratkar

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URL :   http://research.shahed.ac.ir/WSR/WebPages/Report/PaperView.aspx?PaperID=137346
Date :  2019/08/21
Publish in :    Medical Science


Keywords :Clinical trial, Hypothyroidism, Nigella sativa, Black cumin Persian medicine, Nature

Abstract :

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Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, despite the treatment with classic medicine; the symptoms are not completely eliminated. Nigella sativa is an effective herbal medicine in traditional medicine that used for a variety of metabolic diseases and cold nature. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of N. Sativa on thyroid function in hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: The present study is a triple-blind randomized controlled trial conducted on 42 patients (16-65 years of age) with hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran during 2017- 2018, and were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and control receiving powdered N. Sativa or placebo daily for two months and changes in thyroid status and lipid and glucose profile after 2 months were measured. Results: 22 patients were analyzed in the intervention group and 20 in the placebo group. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the intervention group and the placebo group (p=0.02). Significant decreases in total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were observed in patients with negative anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-Tpo) antibodies. In patients with positive Anti-Tpo antibodies, a significant increase in total cholesterol and FBS were observed in the intervention group (p=0.02). 5 patients in the intervention and placebo groups experienced mild and temporary side effects. Conclusion: N. sativa is used in Persian medicine to treat the disorders due to cold nature, and its consumption is increasing due to its native and safe nature and its low cost and effectiveness. Nevertheless, its function on human thyroid requires more trials and it should be used with caution.