Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine Aqueous Extract Exerts Lipid-lowering and Anti-atherosclerotic Effects in Hyperlipidemic Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Background: Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine (T. atlanticus) is traditionally used in the Moroccan high Atlas Mountains to treat several disorders, including cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the traditionally used aqueous extract of T. atlanticus were evaluated on guinea pigs subjected to chronic hyperlipidemia.

Methods: Animals were given a diet containing 2% cholesterol and 20% lard for 12 weeks. Moreover, thyme extract was given daily at 400 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, lipid levels and paraoxonase arylesterase activity were measured, and aorta histology was studied.

Results: Our findings revealed that there was an important elevation of blood lipids in the HFD group along with a significant decrease in paraoxonase arylesterase activity (-40.06%). Moreover, the consumption of fat altered the histology of aorta by thickening the intima media and forming atherosclerotic lesions and foam cells in these tissues. However, the administration of thyme extract attenuated HFD-caused alterations by decreasing blood lipids, elevating paraoxonase activity (+24.04%), and limiting the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusion: We conclude that the supplementation with the aqueous extract of T. atlanticus could potentially protect against hyperlipidemia and consequently, the development of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Thymus atlanticus; blood lipids.; guinea pig; hyperlipidemia; paraoxonase activity.