Thyroid-Hormone Enhancing Activity of the Fruits of Juglans-Regia L in Mice

Abstract

In Turkish folk medicine, the fruits and leaves of Juglans regia L. have been widely used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of various endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, anorexia, thyroid dysfunctions, etc. The effect of fruits of J. regia on the thyroid hormone levels of mice was investigated using two extracts prepared from the fruits by different methods. The acute toxicities of these two extracts in mice were assessed as well. On the basis of our findings obtained, the extracts prepared from the fruits of J. regia enhanced thyroid hormone levels, while they exerted minimal acute toxicity in mice.