Abstract
Background
An alarming increase in hypothyroidism has been noted in the population India and worldwide, especially in females. Hypothyroidism has fundamental effects on cognition, lipid profile, excretion rate, CVS, liver function and reproductive system.
Our formulation comprises herbs to regulate thyroid hormones and to treat the disorders associated with hypothyroidism. The herbs used are common medicinal plants which can be cultivated throughout the year, making the formulation sustainable. The current study offers a green and sustainable solution for hypothyroidism and its associated disorders as against synthetic drugs which are associated with many side effects and toxicity.
Methodology
The present study evaluates the thyroprotective activity of a polyherbal teabag and aerobic exercise (AE) in rats administered with propylthiouracil (PTU). Animals received PTU (8mg/kg) for the first 15 days followed by polyherbal tea extract (500 , 1000 and 1500mg/kg), the standard drug levothyroxine (10ug/100gm) AE and a combination of tea extract 1000 mg/kg and AE (tea-AE) daily along with the PTU for the next 30 days. Levels of T3, T4, TSH, creatinine and Insulin were determined. OGTT, insulin resistance by HOMA-IR, lipid profile, homocysteine, lipid peroxidation and assays for antioxidants and inflammatory mediators were performed on brain homogenates of the above groups of rats.
Results and conclusion
All treatments attenuated significantly the PTU elevated TSH, TG, TC, VLDL, homocysteINE, creatinine, uric acid , insulin and lipid peroxidation levels and restored successfully the PTU depleted T3, T4, protien content and HDL levels. Treatments significantly restored the PTU depleted levels of antioxidants in liver and brain.
It may be concluded that the tea extracts and the combination treatment tea-AE produced the best results indicating the essential role of exercise along with the right diet in maintaining a normal thyroid profile. Our tea-premix thus offers an easily administered and cost effective remedy to hypothyroidism to the population worldwide..
