Assessing the Effects of MMI-Induced Hypothyroidism on Glucose Homeostasis and the Potential Mitigating Role of Caraway Extract-Derived Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles in Male Rats

Hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient thyroid hormone production, significantly affects metabolic processes, including glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. Methimazole (MMI) is commonly used to induce hypothyroidism in experimental models. Caraway (Carum carvi) is known for its therapeutic properties, including antioxidant effects. The study aimed to investigate how magnesium oxide nanoparticles affect glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in male rats given MMI to induce hypothyroidism. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: G1 (control group), G2 (MMI-induced hypothyroidism without treatment), G3 (MMI-induced hypothyroidism treated with MgO-NPs), and G4 (MMI-induced hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine). To induce hypothyroidism, rats were given MMI (8 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days and then received treatment for 28 days. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and Matsuda index were used to measure glucose and insulin sensitivity. The results showed that glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were significantly impaired in the hypothyroid group (G2) compared with the control group. After treatment with magnesium oxide nanoparticles (G3), glucose and HOMA-IR decreased during the OGTT, and insulin levels and Matsuda's indexes improved. This demonstrated that glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were significantly improved. Levothyroxine (G4) treatment also improved glucose metabolism to a lesser extent than magnesium oxide nanoparticles. Conclusion The synthesis of MgO nanoparticles by reducing Caraway extract has shown great promise in helping rats with impaired glucose metabolism. These results suggest that magnesium oxide nanoparticles could offer a novel therapeutic approach for managing metabolic complications associated with hypothyroidism.