• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 2010

Object : This study was to evaluate the effect of Ginseng Radix, aqueous extracts of the root part of Panax ginseng on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil(PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Methods : Aqueous extracts of Ginseng Radix(GR; yield = 11.70%) were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 300 and 150 mg/kg(body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10mg/kg for 28 days. The changes in the body weight, thyroid gland weights, serum levels of thyroid hormone-thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH), tri-iodothyronine(T3) and thyroxine(T4), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL), high density lipoprotein(HDL) and triglyceride, liver antioxidant defense system-lipid peroxidation, $H_2O_2$, superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) were observed with histopathology of thyroid glands. Results : Results were compared with LevoT4 0.5mg/kg treated rats. GR extracts suppressed the decreases in the body weight, thyroid gland weights, T3 and T4, TG, liver $H_2O_2$ and SOD activities as results of PTU treatment. And GR extracts suppressed the increases of HDL contents, liver CAT activities, thyroid gland weight as results of PTU treatment. In addition, marked hyperplasia of follicular cells with decreases of follicular colloid contentsand sizes were demonstrated at histopathological inspections. However, these PTU-induced histopathological changes related to hypothyroidism were dramatically decreased by treatment of both different dosages of GR extract, respectively Conclusions : This study suggest that GR extracts have favorable effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism mediated by the modulatory effects on the antioxidant defense system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.13-22
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• 2011

Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, muscle cramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, we do have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to those of Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods: 24 two-month-old Spargue-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Epimedii Herba(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and were analyzed. Results: In comparison with normal group, the PTU-induced control group significantly showed hypothyroidism with low T3, T4 and high TSH. In Epimedii Herba group, T4 was significantly increased(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in TSH between the Epimedii Herba treatment group and the control group. And no significant differences were observed in biochemical labs and weight between the Epimedii Herba group and the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that Epimedii Herba could help thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormones. And no significant side effects related with Epimedii Herba were found, suggesting that it is safe to administer. According to these results, Epimedii Herba may be a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.714-723
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• 2012

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bupleuri Radix, aqueous extracts of the root part of Bupleurum falcatum on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Aqueous extracts of Bupleuri Radix (BR; yield = 11.73%) were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 300 and 150 mg/kg (body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. The changes on the body weight, thyroid gland weights, serum thyroid hormone - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine ($T_3$) and thyroxine ($T_4$), serum lipid profiles - total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride, liver antioxidant defense system - lipid peroxidation, $H_2O_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were observed with histopathology of thyroid glands. Results were compared with $LevoT_4$ 0.5 mg/kg treated rats. As results of PTU treatment, marked decreases of body weights, triglyceride contents, liver CAT activities and changes of serum thyroid hormone levels were observed with increases of serum AST, HDL contents, liver $H_2O_2$ and SOD activities and thyroid gland weight. In addition, marked hyperplasia of follicular cells with decreases of follicular colloid contents and sizes were demonstrated at histopathological inspections. However, these PTU induced hypothyroidism were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of BR extracts, and BR extracts effectively regulated the hypothyroidism related changes on the antioxidant defense system. The results obtained in this study suggest that BR extracts have favorable effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism mediated by the modulatory effects on the antioxidant defense system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.630-637
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• 2010

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lonicerae Flos, aqueous extracts of the dried flower bud part of Lonicera japonica on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Aqueous extracts of Lonicerae Flos (LF yield = 23.80%) were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 500 and 250 mg/kg (body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. The changes on the body weight, thyroid gland weights, serum thyroid hormone - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tri-iodothyronine ($T_3$) and thyroxine ($T_4$), serum lipid profiles - total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride were observed with liver antioxidant defense system - lipid peroxidation, $H_2O_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and serum asparte aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) analysis. Results were compared with Levothyroxine ($LT_4$) 0.5 mg/kg treated rats. As results of PTU treatment, marked decreases of body weights, serum thyroid hormone levels and triglyceride contents, liver $H_2O_2_3$ and SOD activities were observed with increases of serum AST and HDL contents, liver CAT activities, thyroid gland weight. However, these PTU induced hypothyroidism were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of LF extracts, and LF extracts effectively regulated the hypothyroidism related changes on the antioxidant defense system. The results obtained in this study suggest that LF extracts have favorable effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism mediated by the modulatory effects on the antioxidant defense system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-152
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• 2016

Objectives ： This study was to evaluate Sibjeondaebo-tang’s(Shiquan dabutang) effect to rat hypothyroidism which induced by 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil(PTU)Methods ： Aqueous extracts of Sibjeondaebo-tang(Shiquan dabutang)(21.29%) were administered by oral dose of 300 and 150 mg/kg(rat’s body weight) for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment. During this moment the body weight, thyroid gland weights, liver weight, serum thyroid hormone, lipid content and liver antioxidant defense system were measured with histopathological changes of thyroid glands, Liver and these result were compared with LevoT₄ 0.5mg/kg treated ratsResults ： As a result of PTU treatment, marked decreases of body weight, liver weight, serum thyroid hormone levels of T₃, T₄, triglyceride content and liver CAT activation were observed with marked increases of thyroid gland weight, thyroid gland hormone TSH, activate liver H₂O₂ and SOD, serum Total cholesterol, HDL and AST amount were admitted. In addition, marked hyperplasia of follicular cells with reduce of follicular colloid contents and sizes were showed at histopathological inspections. These PTU-induces histopathological changes related to hypothyroidism were significantly reduced by treatment of both different dosages of Sibjeondaebo-tang(Shiquan dabutang).Conclusions： This study suggest that Sibjeondaebo-tang(Shiquan dabutang) extracts have favorable effect on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effect on hypothyroidism medicated by modulatory effects on antioxidant defense system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.109-119
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extracts of Mume Fructus(MF) on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil(PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism.Methods : Aqueous extracts of MF(yield = 19.38%) were administered, once per day for 42 days from 2 weeks before starting of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 300 and 150 ㎎/㎏(body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 ㎎/㎏ for 28 days. The changes in the body weight, thyroid gland weights, liver weight, serum levels of thyroid hormone-thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH), tri-iodothyronine(T₃) and thyroxine(T₄), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL), high density lipoprotein(HDL) and triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), liver antioxidant defense system-lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂, superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) were examined with histopathology of thyroid glands and liver.Results : Results were compared with LevoT₄0.5 ㎎/㎏ treated rats. MF extracts recovered from the decreases in the body weight, liver weight, T₃and T₄, TG, liver CAT activities as results of PTU treatment. And MF extracts recovered from the increases of thyroid gland weights, TSH, HDL contents, liver H₂O₂, AST as results of PTU treatment. In addition, these PTU-induced histopathological changes in thyroid glands and liver related to hypothyroidism were dramatically decreased by treatment of both different dosages of MF extract, respectively.Conclusions : According to the above results, it is suggested that MF extracts have advantageous effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism related liver injuries mediated by the modulation on the antioxidant system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.989-995
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• 2011

Hypothyroidism is the most common disease in the endocrine system. Cistanche Deserticola has been used traditionally in the treatment of kidney deficiency and Yang deficiency syndrome. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Cistanche Deserticola on Hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU. 24 Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups : 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Cistanche Deserticola(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks. Cistanche Deserticola and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. Body weights were checked every week and after 4 weeks, biochemical analysis was performed and T3, T4 and TSH were measured by ELISA kits. In comparison with the normal group, the control group showed hypothyroidism with lower T3, T4 level and higher TSH level. In the Cistanche group the level of T4 was significantly increased and TSH level was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cistanche group and the control group. These findings suggest that Cistanche Deserticola could help the production of thyroid hormones under PTU suppression. And there is no harmful effect on liver and kidney function, and other metabolism. According to these results Cistanche Deserticola could be an useful agent for treating hypothyroidism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2002

GH-transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kitsutch) juveniles in tGH＊T$_3$and tGH*PTU were fed with the diets containing 1 ug/g fish of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T$_3$) and 30 ug/g fish of 6-n-propyl-2- thiouracil (PTU), respectively, to assess the effect of these drugs on the change of physiological activity, growth and survival rate in comparison with normal transgenic (tGH＊C) and nontransgenic coho salmon (Wild) for 90 days. Although the daily food intakes of all transgenic (tGH)-groups were higher than Wild, the amount was reduced by exogenous PTU supply. The fred efficiencies of tGH-groups were lower than Wild, but the efficiency was reduced both by T$_3$and PTU. The survival rate of tGH-group was significantly higher than that of Wild, but there was no significant difference among tGH-groups. Although the growth of tGH-coho salmon was faster than Wild. the growth rate of transgenic salmon was increased by exogenous T$_3$, but was reduced by PTU Plasma TT$_4$levels of tGH-groups was approximately 2-fold higher relative to Wild, but there were no difference of plasma TT$_4$levels among tGH-groups. plasma TT$_3$level or tGH-coho salmon was increased by exogenous T$_3$administration, but was reduced by exogenous PTU. In addition, although plasma GH levels of all tGH-groups were higher than that of Wild, the GH level in plasma of transgenic coho salmon was increased by exogenous T$_3$and reduced by exogenous PTU. In the meantime, the transgenic fishes also displayed head, jaw and opercular abnormalities typical of the offsets of this gene construct in coho salmon, indicating that some imbalance in growth processes has been induced. However, the abnormalities of transgenic coho salmon was reduced following exogenous PTU administration.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.425-436
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• 2010

Objectives : Hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinologic disease, especially among older women. Western medical doctors treat hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, however there are several side effects, including thyrotoxicosis, atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, etc. Therefore, traditional Korean medicine(TKM) offers an appealing alternative therapy for hypothyroidism. In this study, Cuscuta Semen was used to analyze its possible effect on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by propylthiouracil(PTU). Methods : 24 two-month-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: normal (n=6), PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), hypothyroidism rat treated with Cuscuta Semen (n=6), and hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Cuscuta Semen and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 weeks. Blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and analyzed. Results : When compared to the normal group, the PTU-induced control group showed significantly lower $T_4$, $T_3$ levels and significantly higher TSH level, which is indicative of hypothyroidism. The Cuscuta Semen group had significantly higher $T_4$ and significantly lower TSH than the control group(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cuscuta Semen and control groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that Cuscuta Semen could be effective in increasing thyroid hormone production, and be powerful enough to affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. Also, no adverse effects related with Cuscuta Semen were found, suggesting that it is relatively safe to administer. In conclusion, it seems that Cuscuta Semen is a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.