Clinical significance of Saussurea Costus in thyroid treatment

Saudi Med J. 2020 Oct;41(10):1047-1053. doi: 10.15537/smj.2020.10.25416.

Abstract

Saussurea costus (S. costus) belongs to family of Asteraceae and is one of the therapeutic plants extensively used as a traditional medicine in Saudi Arabia. Constituents of this plant have the potential to be developed as bioactive molecules. Among Arabs, the prevalence of thyroid disorders ranges from 6.18 % to 47.34% and hypothyroidism has been reported to be the most prevalent. Although there is no natural treatment that can directly replace thyroid hormones, their role as an alternate treatment or as an add-on to available thyroid treatment has been explored. Flavanoids and antioxidant properties of S. costus may be an important mechanism involved in supporting its medicinal use. Current data on the possible role of S. costus in thyroid disorders is lacking and the available evidence is inconclusive. This review deal with the current understanding of use and myth regarding the use of this medicinal plant in thyroid disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy*
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saussurea / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts