Thyroid Stimulatory Activity of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Ethanolic Extract in 6-Propyl-Thiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid and STZ Induced Diabetes Rats: In Vivo and In Silico Studies
2
Issued Date
2025-02-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20726643
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85217733079
Journal Title
Nutrients
Volume
17
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Nutrients Vol.17 No.3 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Rahman S.S., Klamrak A., Mahat N.C., Rahat R.H., Nopkuesuk N., Kamruzzaman M., Janpan P., Saengkun Y., Nabnueangsap J., Soonkum T., Sangkudruea P., Jangpromma N., Kulchat S., Patramanon R., Chaveerach A., Daduang J., Daduang S. Thyroid Stimulatory Activity of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Ethanolic Extract in 6-Propyl-Thiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid and STZ Induced Diabetes Rats: In Vivo and In Silico Studies. Nutrients Vol.17 No.3 (2025). doi:10.3390/nu17030594 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/105374
Title
Thyroid Stimulatory Activity of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Ethanolic Extract in 6-Propyl-Thiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid and STZ Induced Diabetes Rats: In Vivo and In Silico Studies
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Houttuynia cordata Thunb. holds a longstanding reputation as a traditional folk remedy in East Asia, where it has been employed to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, nephritis, hepatitis and cancer. Despite its extensive use, there exists a paucity of research examining its efficacy in managing thyroid disorders and diabetes. Moreover, the bioactive components responsible for modulating the molecular pathways remain elusive. Objectives: This research aimed to determine the key bioactive components in the ethanolic extract of H. cordata Thunb. (HCEE) responsible for its thyroid-modifying properties and examine its effects on rats with experimentally induced hypothyroidism and diabetes. Methods: Molecular docking was performed to investigate the possible mechanisms of thyroid regulation of HCEE constituents. Researchers induced hypothyroidism in rats by adding 6-propyl-2-thiouracil to their drinking water for a period of four weeks. To induce diabetes, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The animals were then given daily oral doses of HCEE (500 mg/kg b.w.), levothyroxine (50 mg/kg b.w.), or glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days. Following this treatment, standard methods were employed to measure biochemical parameters in the rats’ serum. Results: The results demonstrate that HCEE ameliorated hypothyroidism by increasing serum T3 (14.38%) and T4 (125.96%) levels and decreasing TSH (p < 0.01; −41.75%) levels. In diabetic rats with induced hypothyroidism, HCEE significantly (p < 0.001) increased T3 (149.51%) and T4 (73.54%) levels with reduced TSH (−64.39%) levels. In silico analysis demonstrated that the identified bioactive compounds from HCEE may enhance thyroid hormone function through interaction with the thyroid hormone receptor protein TRβ1 (PDB:3GWS), similar to the conventional pharmaceuticals levothyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3). Conclusions: HCEE exhibits potential as a natural alternative to synthetic medications in the prevention and treatment of thyroid dysfunctions.