Title:Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine Aqueous Extract Exerts Lipid-lowering
and Anti-atherosclerotic Effects in Hyperlipidemic Guinea Pigs
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Hamza Elbouny*, Brahim Ouahzizi, Oussama Bekkouch, Amal Bennani, Souliman Amrani, Mhamed Ramchoun, Khalid Sellam and Chakib Alem
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Moulay Ismail,
Errachidia, Morocco
Keywords:
Atherosclerosis, guinea pig, hyperlipidemia, paraoxonase activity, Thymus atlanticus, blood lipids.
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.
