Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats.
Extracts from the plant Lycopus europaeus L. are traditionally used in mild forms of hyperthyroidism. High doses caused a reduction of TSH or thyroid hormone levels in animal experiments, whereas in hyperthyroid patients treated with low doses of Lycopus an improvement of cardiac symptoms was reported without major changes in TSH or thyroid hormone concentrations. Lycopus extract was tested in thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats (0.7 mg/kg BW i.p.). Co-treatment with an hydroethanolic extract from L. europaeus L. started one week later than T4-application and lasted 5.5 weeks. As reference substance atenolol was used. The raised body temperature was reduced very effectively even by the low dose of the plant extract, whereas the reduced gain of body weight and the increased food intake remained unaffected by any treatment. No significant changes of thyroid hormone concentrations or TSH levels were observed. Lycopus extract and atenolol reduced the increased heart rate and blood pressure. The cardiac hypertrophy was alleviated significantly by both treatment regimes. beta-Adrenoceptor density in heart tissue was significantly reduced by the Lycopus extract or the beta-blocking agent showing an almost equal efficacy. Although the mode of action remains unclear, these organo-specific anti-T4-effects seem to be of practical interest, for example in patients with latent hyperthyroidism.
Vonhoff
Christian
C
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Domagkstr. 12, 48143 Münster, Germany. vonhoffc@uni-muenster.de
Baumgartner
Andreas
A
Hegger
Mirjam
M
Korte
Brigitte
B
Biller
Andreas
A
Winterhoff
Hilke
H
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D020120:Iodocyanopindolol; D031333:Lycopus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D001262:Atenolol; D020120:Iodocyanopindolol; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine