Excess use of Momordica charantia extract may not be safe with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation

Effects of alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia fruits (100, 200, 400 a nd 500 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 15 days) on the alterations in ser um thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) concentrations and on hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) ac tivities were studied in adult male mice. Higher concentrations of :M, char antia (400 and 500 mg kg(-1)) decreased the serum concentrations of T-3 and T-4 and enhanced hepatic LPO with a concomitant decrease in CAT activities , indicating a thyroid inhibitory and peroxidative role of the plant extrac t. However, with the lower doses (100 and 200 mg kg(-1)) these adverse effe cts mere not seen. Although 200 mg kg(-1) was found to enhance T-3, T-4 was reduced. Since two higher doses inhibited thyroid hormone concentrations a nd increased hepatic LPO, we suggest that M. charantia fruit extract, when used in excess may prove to be harmful with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation.