Oral Phyto-thymol ameliorates the stress induced IBS symptoms

Abstract

Physical stressors play a crucial role in the progression of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here we report a heterogeneous physical stress induced IBS rat model which shows depression and subsequent modulation of IBS by oral treatment of thymol. Oral administration of Thymol reduces the stress induced IBS significantly altering the stress induced gastrointestinal hypermotility, prolonged the whole gut transit time, and increased abdominal withdrawal reflex suggesting gastrointestinal hypermotility and visceral discomfort caused the onset of depression. Immunohistochemical analysis in small intestine and colon of rats shows the decreased 5-HT 3A R expression level while thymol treatment normalized the 5-HT 3A R expression in the stressed rats. Molecular docking studies showed that thymol competes with endogenous serotonin and an antagonist, Tropisetron and all have similar binding energies to 5-HT 3A R. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that thymol and tropisetron might have similar effects on 5-HT 3A R. Our study suggest that thymol improves IBS symptoms through 5-HT 3A R, could be useful for the treatment of IBS.

Anti-inflammatory effects of thymol: an emphasis on the molecular interactions through in vivo approach and molecular dynamic simulations

“…In contrast, Swaggerty et al (2020) demonstrated that the THY diet significantly increased the functional capability of peripheral blood leukocytes in broiler chicks ( Swaggerty et al, 2020 ). Moreover, THY improved irritable bowel syndrome, where it was found to antagonize endogenous serotonin in a rat model ( Subramaniyam et al, 2020 ). Studies suggest that histamine >50 mg/kg in foods is harmful to humans ( Byun and Mah, 2012 ).…”

Plant Essential Oils as Healthy Functional Ingredients of Nutraceuticals and Diet Supplements: A Review

“…A recent study demonstrated that thymol (50 mg/kg b.w.) counteracted IBS induced by physical stressors in the rat model [ 44 ]: it normalized gut transit time and abdominal withdrawal reflex, and it decreased intestinal hypermotility. The study concluded that oral thymol administration could be a potential option to handle leaky gut with subsequent soothing of the IBS symptoms possibly by regulating the serotonin receptor (5-HT 3 AR) in the intestinal epithelium, as confirmed by molecular docking analysis [ 44 ].…”

“…counteracted IBS induced by physical stressors in the rat model [ 44 ]: it normalized gut transit time and abdominal withdrawal reflex, and it decreased intestinal hypermotility. The study concluded that oral thymol administration could be a potential option to handle leaky gut with subsequent soothing of the IBS symptoms possibly by regulating the serotonin receptor (5-HT 3 AR) in the intestinal epithelium, as confirmed by molecular docking analysis [ 44 ]. Another recently identified mechanism for thymol’s anti-inflammatory activity and its modulation of gut motility relies on its interaction with the gastrointestinal endocannabinoid system [ 45 ].…”