향사양위탕(香砂養胃湯)이 Propylthiouracil로 유발된 Rat 갑상샘기능저하성 웅성 생식기 손상에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Objectives : Hyangsayangyi-tang (香砂養胃湯) is a polyherbal formula, has been used as one of the representative So-eumin (少陰人) prescriptions in Sasang-medicine (四象醫學), a famous Korean medicinal theory. The aqueous extract of Hyangsayangyi-tang (HSYYT) was evaluated for its possible ameliorative effect in the regulation of hypothyroidism related reproductive organ damages in propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced rat model. Methods : HSYYT aqueous extracts were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg (bodyweight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28days. Results : PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ (testis, epididymis and prostate) damages were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of HSYYT 500 and 250 mg/kg, and they also effectively regulated the PTU-induced abnormal antioxidant defense system changes in the testis. No effective or any harmful changes on the PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ damages were observed in HSYYT 125 mg/kg treated rats as compared with PTU control in this experiment. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that oral administration of 500 and 250 mg/kg of HSYYT showed favorable effects on the hypothyroidism and related reproductive organ damages through augmentation of antioxidant defense system in the testis, and it is considered that HSYYT may be help to ameliorate the hypothyroidism and related organ damages in clinics.