The Antioxidant Activity of Thymus serpyllum Extract Protects against the Inflammatory State and Modulates Gut Dysbiosis in Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

Abstract

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in alternative therapies in the treatment of metabolic syndrome that combine efficacy and safety profiles. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an extract of Thymus serpyllum, containing rosmarinic acid, on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice, highlighting the impact of its antioxidant activity on the inflammatory status and gut dysbiosis. The extract was administered daily (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) in HFD-fed mice. The treatment reduced body weight gain, glucose and lipid metabolic profiles. Moreover, the extract ameliorated the inflammatory status, with the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JUNK) pathway being involved, and showed a significant antioxidant effect by the reduction of radical scavenging activity and the mitigation of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the extract was able to modulate the altered gut microbiota, restoring microbial richness and diversity, and augmenting the counts of short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, which have been associated with the maintenance of gut permeability and weight regulation. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of Thymus serpyllum extract displayed a positive impact on obesity and its metabolic alterations, also reducing systemic inflammation. These effects may be mediated by modulation of the gut microbiota.

Effects of a Food Supplement with a Wild Thyme (<i>Thymus serpyllum</i> L.) Extract on Gut Health and the Microbiome in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Thus, wild thyme extract was also successfully investigated in an IBS model [12]. Additionally, recently obtained data in an experimental model of high-fat diet in mice showed beneficial effects of WThE on metabolic syndrome [13]. These effects were evidenced by a reduction in body weight gain in obese mice, which was associated with an improvement in the glycemic and lipid metabolic profile, most probably related to the amelioration of insulin resistance process that occurs in obesity.…”

“…Moreover, the extract was able to modulate the altered gut microbiota, restoring microbial richness and diversity, and augmenting the counts of short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, which have been associated with the maintenance of gut permeability and weight regulation [13].…”

“…Furthermore, studies have shown the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract with the microbiota and the brain, to be involved in neuropathological changes and a variety of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, neurodegeneration and even depression [15] [17]. Very likely related to this, pre-clinical studies showed that cytokine production by macrophages was decreased by WThE [11] [12] [13], which may be associated to a decrease of stress, a better mental state and an improvement of quality of life. The described mechanism may explain the observation of the current clinical study where subjects of WThE group reported an improved quality of life and psychological well-being, whereas with placebo there was no improvement.…”

The Prebiotic Effects of an Extract with Antioxidant Properties from Morus alba L. Contribute to Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

“…Liver and colonic lysates from mice were used to determine lipid oxidation by measuring the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) [ 23 ]. Briefly, the malondialdehyde (MDA) resulting from lipid peroxidation reacts with the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which was used in the extraction method.…”

The Antioxidant Properties of Lavandula multifida Extract Contribute to Its Beneficial Effects in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

“…Mouse liver was removed, lysed, and homogenized, and the protein concentration was calculated using the colorimetric method of Bicinchoninic Acid Assay (BCA). Then, the lipid oxidation was determined in the samples by measuring the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as described before [ 17 ]. Briefly, the malondialdehyde (MDA), resulting from lipid peroxidation, reacts with the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) used in the extraction method.…”