Preparation and Study on Anti-hyperthyroidism Activities of Diosgenin

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efectiveness of diosgenin on hyperthyroid rats. METHODS Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma was refluxed for 4.5 h in 75% ethanol aqueous solution which containing sulfuric acid 1.5 mol·L^-1. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, and the structure of diosgenin was characterized. The model of hyperthyroid rats was prepared by intragastric administration of euthyrox, the rats were randomized into six groups: The normal rats group, the model group, the methimazole group, the diosgenin groups(low, medium and high dose). T₃, T₄ and TSH in rats serum were examined separately after 21 days. RESULTS The diosgenin structures were elucidated by means of ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HRMS and HPLC. compared with the model rats, the diosgenin groups(low, medium and high dose) serum T₃, T₄ and TSH were improved for varying degrees. CONCLUSION The Diosgenin extraction process shows good practicability and high yield. Diosgenin not only helps hyperthyroidism rats return to normal, but also can increase body weight, which has the similar effect with methimazole, further studies will be needed.