Amelioration of L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism by coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) in female rats

1. The efficacy of coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) was examined for the regulation of hyperthyroidism in female rats. 2. Coumarin was administered (10 mg/kg per day for 15 days) to l-thyroxine (L-T(4))-induced hyperthyroid as well as to euthyroid rats and changes in serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and in associated parameters, such as serum cholesterol, activity of hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase (5'DI) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), glycogen content, bodyweight and daily food consumption, were analysed. Simultaneously, changes in hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also investigated. 3. Although L-T(4) administration increased serum levels of thyroid hormones, the activity of hepatic 5'DI, G-6-Pase and LPO and daily food consumption, it decreased the level of serum cholesterol, hepatic glycogen content and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, such as SOD, CAT and GSH. 4. However, simultaneous administration of coumarin for 15 days to a group of hyperthyroid animals reversed most of the aforementioned changes, indicating its potential to ameliorate hyperthyroidism. Moreover, the drug did not increase, but rather decreased, hepatic LPO, suggesting its safe nature. 5. The present findings reveal a positive role for coumarin in the regulation of hyperthyroidism without any hepatotoxicity. It also appears that the test compound inhibits thyroid function at both a glandular level and at the level of peripheral conversion of T(4) to tri-iodothyronine.