Protective Effects of Moringa oleifera and Malus domestica on Thyroid Dysfunction Induced by Low-Iodine Diet and Thiocyanate in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the protective effects of Moringa oleifera and Malus domestica on thyroid dysfunction induced by a low-iodine diet and potassium thiocyanate in Wistar rats. Forty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to eight groups and treated for 30 days with normal feed, low-iodine diet, potassium iodate, potassium thiocyanate, M. oleifera, M. domestica, or selected combinations of these interventions. Urinary iodine concentration, serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were assessed, and thyroid tissues were examined histologically. The low-iodine diet and the low-iodine diet combined with potassium thiocyanate reduced urinary iodine concentration and serum T3 and T4 concentrations, while increasing TSH relative to the normal control group. Potassium thiocyanate exposure under normal feeding also reduced thyroid hormone concentrations. Treatment with M. oleifera and M. domestica improved urinary iodine concentration, moderated the hormonal alterations and reduced histological disruption of thyroid architecture. The group receiving the low-iodine diet with M. oleifera and M. domestica showed preserved follicular architecture, colloid presence and no significant pathological changes. These findings suggest that M. oleifera and M. domestica may have protective effects against thyroid dysfunction induced by low iodine availability and thiocyanate exposure under the experimental conditions used in this study. Further mechanistic and dose-response studies are required to validate these preliminary findings.