Thymus extract

Thymus extract/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Preliminary evidence in humans suggests that thymus extract may have additive effects to antibiotics (40; 18; 59). Also, preliminary evidence in humans suggests that use of thymus extract decreases infections and thus, the need for antibiotics (31).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In humans, a combination of azathioprine and thymostimulin for 12 months resulted in clinical remission in 36% of individuals with type I diabetes (mean weekly glycemic profiles less than or equal to 7mM/L, serial HbA1 values in the normal range and no insulin requirements for at least two consecutive months) (110). There was no effect with either agent alone.
  • AntihistaminesAntihistamines: Thymus extract may reduce the frequency of acute allergic episodes (108; 34). Thus, thymus extracts and antihistamines may have additive effects.
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In clinical trials in humans, thymus extracts and chemotherapeutic agents have shown additive effects (68; 7; 72; 21; 111; 112). Thymus extracts may also offer protective effects in terms of reduced side effects associated with chemotherapy (113; 51). Other studies have also examined the combined effects of thymus extracts and chemotherapeutic agents (114) (54).
  • BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines: Thymus extract may play a role in immunological disorders associated with stress and anxiety (58).
  • BronchodilatorsBronchodilators: Thymus extract may improve symptoms associated with asthma (115; 108; 34; 116). Thus, thymus extracts and bronchodilators may have additive effects. In humans, thymomodulin reduced bronchial responsiveness to methacholine after three months of treatment and remained reduced for two months following treatment (3).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In humans, thymomodulin had an additive effect on 'conventional medications' for cardiomyopathy (13).
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: Thymus extract may play a role in immunological disorders associated with stress and anxiety (58).
  • CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids: In three case reports involving juvenile arthritis patients, use of thymic extract was able to reduce the dose of corticosteroids required (117).
  • Fumaric acidFumaric acid: In a preliminary trial in humans, a combination of thymus extract, selenium, and fumaric acid was more beneficial than fumaric acid alone for psoriasis (41).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Preliminary evidence in humans suggests thymus extract can improve alopecia (43). It is possible that thymus extract is able to offer other hormonal effects and have additive effects. Furthermore, according to secondary reports, thymus extract may decrease levels of dihydrotestosterone.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In humans, T-activin has immunomodulatory effects (118; 64; 119; 13). Thus, thymus extracts may have additive or contradictory immunomodulatory effects. In humans, a combination of azathioprine and thymostimulin for 12 months resulted in clinical remission in 36% of individuals with type I diabetes (mean weekly glycemic profiles less than or equal to 7mM/L, serial HbA1 values in the normal range and no insulin requirements for at least two consecutive months) (110). There was no effect with either agent alone. Information from secondary sources suggests that thymic extracts have been shown to enhance responsiveness to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin and have been able to produce an immune response in immunocompromised patients. Thymic hormones are thought to support immunodeficiency-related or chronic immune-mediated diseases (1).
  • MethylxanthinesMethylxanthines: Preliminary evidence suggests that thymus extracts offer benefits to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (120). Thus, use in combination with medications for SLE, such as methylxanthines, may have additive effects.
  • Thyroid hormonesThyroid hormones: In animals, purified thymus gland extract nonsignificantly decreased average thyroid gland weights and serum T3 serum levels and significantly decreased serum T4 levels (45). There was also a reduction in thyroid follicle size and colloid content and an increase in connective tissue, resorption vacuoles, and hyperemia. The thyroid enzymes activities of lactic dehydrogenase, ATP-ase, esterase, and acid phosphatase were modified. It is not clear what effect thymus gland extract would have on external thyroid hormones.

    • Thymus extract/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Preliminary evidence in humans suggests that thymus extract may have additive effects to antibiotics (40; 18; 59). Also, preliminary evidence in humans suggests that use of thymus extract decreases infections and thus, the need for antibiotics (31).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In clinical trials in humans, thymus extracts and chemotherapeutic agents have additive effects (68; 7; 72; 21; 111; 112; 113; 51; 114).
  • AnxiolyticsAnxiolytics: Thymus extract may play a role in immunological disorders associated with stress and anxiety (58).
  • BronchodilatorsBronchodilators: Thymus extract improves symptoms associated with asthma (115; 108; 34; 116). Thus, thymus extracts and agents that act as bronchodilators may have additive effects. In humans, thymomodulin reduced bronchial responsiveness to methacholine after three months of treatment and remained reduced for two months following treatment (3).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In humans, thymomodulin had an additive effect on 'conventional medications' for cardiomyopathy (13). Thymomodulin may also have additive effects on herbal agents that act in a similar manner.
  • EssentialeEssentiale: In patients with complicated liver echinococciasis, the combined use of essentiale (phospholipids) and T-activin normalized hepatic function and immunity and reduced the incidence of postoperative complications (71).
  • Fumaric acidFumaric acid: In a preliminary trial in humans, a combination of thymus extract, selenium, and fumaric acid was more beneficial than fumaric acid alone for psoriasis (41). Fumaric acid is found in some dietary supplements.
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Preliminary evidence in humans suggests thymus extract can improve alopecia (43). It is possible that thymus extract is able to offer other hormonal effects and have additive effects with agents that alter hormone levels in the body.
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In humans, a combination of azathioprine and thymostimulin for 12 months resulted in clinical remission in 36% of individuals with type I diabetes (mean weekly glycemic profiles less than or equal to 7mM/L, serial HbA1 values in the normal range and no insulin requirements for at least two consecutive months) (110). There was no effect with either agent alone.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In humans, T-activin has immunomodulatory effects (118; 64; 119; 13). Thus, thymus extracts may have additive or contradictory immunomodulatory effects. Information from secondary sources suggests that thymic extracts have been shown to enhance responsiveness to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin and have been able to produce an immune response in immunocompromised patients. Thymic hormones support immunodeficiency-related or chronic immune-mediated diseases (1).
  • SedativesSedatives: Thymus extract may play a role in immunological disorders associated with stress and anxiety (58).
  • Thyroid agentsThyroid agents: In animals, purified thymus gland extract nonsignificantly decreased average thyroid gland weights and serum T3 serum levels and significantly decreased serum T4 levels (45). There was also a reduction in thyroid follicle size and colloid content and an increase in connective tissue, resorption vacuoles, and hyperemia. The thyroid enzymes activities of lactic dehydrogenase, ATP-ase, esterase, and acid phosphatase were modified. It is not clear what effect thymus gland extract would have on external thyroid hormone-like herbs or supplements.

    • Thymus extract/Food Interactions:

  • Elimination dietElimination diet: Thymomodulin reduced allergy-induced skin lesions upon reintroducing foods following an elimination diet in allergic children (2).
  • Fumaric acidFumaric acid: In a preliminary trial in humans, a combination of thymus extract, selenium, and fumaric acid was more beneficial than fumaric acid alone for psoriasis (41). Fumaric acid is found in some foods, such as grape juice and baking powder.

    • Thymus extract/Lab Interactions:

  • Alpha-fetoproteinAlpha-fetoprotein: In a case report describing a cancer patient, thymostimulin reduced alpha-fetoprotein levels (121).
  • CD4 countsCD4 counts: In HIV-positive patients, thymostimulin increased CD4 counts (16; 14). The CD4/CD8 ratio was close to normal values (26).
  • GlutathioneGlutathione: In vitro, thymic peptide increased glutathione level and glutathione disulfide reductase activity (122).
  • Glycemic profilesGlycemic profiles: In diabetic patients (type I), combined use of azathioprine and thymostimulin normalized glycemic profiles and HbA1 levels in 40-50% of patients (110). Endogenous insulin secretions also increased. Thymostimulin alone had no effect on glycemic profiles, insulin or HbA1 levels.
  • Immunity testsImmunity tests: Thymus extract has been shown to decrease total and specific IgE serum levels (2); increase T cells (including T-lymphocytes, T-helper cells, natural killer (NK) and CD4 counts) (26; 40; 16; 28; 123; 104; 124; 125; 14), lymphoproliferative responses to herpes simplex virus antigen (26), neutrophil counts (10), T4+/T8+ ratio (27), the number of B cells, as well as phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferative responses (40; 93), OKT4+ cells (126), T-cell histamine H2 receptors (127), T lymphocyte and granulocyte mobility (128), levels of salivary IgA (34), the number of rosette-forming cells (5; 39; 40; 129; 103; 89; 130), white blood cell count (26; 131); and normalize the count of T, T active and B lymphocytes (64), and cellular immunoreactivity (117) in certain patient populations.
  • IronIron: Secondary sources indicate thymus extracts increase depressed hemoglobin and serum iron levels.
  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: In five of 15 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis, bovine thymus extract decreased aminotransferase levels (29).
  • LymphokinesLymphokines: In humans, thymic peptide increased secretion of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8 (132). Secondary reports suggest that thymus extracts increase the number of lymphokines, including interleukin 2, interferon, and colony-stimulating factor.
  • LysozymeLysozyme: In Hodgkin's patients with elevated initial circulating immune complexes, thymostimulin increased serum lysozyme (133).
  • Red blood cellsRed blood cells: Thymic extracts significantly increased hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (85). In older adults, thymostimulin significantly reduced the sedimentation rate (23).
  • Rheumatoid factor alpha-2Rheumatoid factor alpha-2: Secondary sources indicate thymus extracts reduce rheumatoid factor alpha 2 levels.
  • Steroidal hormonesSteroidal hormones: In animal model, the thyroid hormone T-activin decreased plasma corticosterone (134).
  • Thyroid hormonesThyroid hormones: In animals, purified thymus gland extract nonsignificantly decreased average thyroid gland weights and serum T3 levels and significantly decreased serum T4 levels (45). There was also a reduction in thyroid follicle size and colloid content and an increase in connective tissue, resorption vacuoles and hyperemia. The thyroid enzymes activities of lactic dehydrogenase, ATP-ase, esterase, and acid phosphatase were modified. It is not clear what effect thymus gland extract would have on levels of thyroid hormones in humans.