The Effects of Epimedii Herba on a Hypothyroidism Rat Model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil).

Abstract Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, musclecramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, wedo have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to thoseof Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of toni-fying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the ther-apeutic 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 EpimediiHerba (n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for atotal duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were takenfrom their hearts and were analyzed.