Thyme Extract Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Gut Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• High-fat diets (HFD) disrupt gut microbiota, leading to obesity and increased intestinal permeability.
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) possesses known therapeutic properties.
• Understanding thyme's impact on HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of thyme extract (TLE) in mitigating metabolic disorders caused by HFD.
• To evaluate TLE's effects on gut microbiota composition and intestinal barrier function.
• To identify specific metabolites influenced by TLE treatment in the context of HFD.

Main Methods:

• C57BL/6 mice were fed a HFD and treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg TLE for eight weeks.
• Body weight, body fat percentage, serum biomarkers, and intestinal barrier proteins were analyzed.
• Fecal metabolite profiles and their correlation with metabolic parameters were assessed.

Main Results:

• 100 mg/kg TLE significantly reduced weight gain and body fat percentage in HFD-fed mice.
• TLE treatment enhanced intestinal barrier function by upregulating tight junction proteins and prevented colon shortening.
• TLE normalized levels of specific metabolites like 2-hydroxypalmitic acid and 3-indoleacrylic acid, while altering correlations of others (e.g., deoxycholic acid, hypoxanthine).

Conclusions:

• Thyme extract shows potential in ameliorating obesity and gut health issues associated with HFD.
• TLE improves intestinal barrier integrity and modulates gut metabolite profiles.
• Thyme represents a promising natural intervention for HFD-induced metabolic derangements.