Effect of Aqueous Extract and Polyphenol Fraction Derived from Thymus atlanticus Leaves on Acute Hyperlipidemia in the Syrian Golden Hamsters

Abstract

Thymus atlanticus, an endemic plant of Morocco, is traditionally used as a liniment or a drink to treat various diseases. However, there are few available scientific data regarding its biological effects. In this connection, the present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract and polyphenol fraction of Thymus atlanticus in Syrian golden hamsters treated with Triton WR-1339 (triton, 20 mg/100 g body weight). The hamsters orally received the extracts (400 mg/kg), and blood samples were collected after 24 h of treatment to determine plasma lipid, insulin, and fasting blood glucose levels. Plasma malondialdehyde level and plasma total antioxidant (TAS) were also evaluated. The T. atlanticus extracts significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, and LDL-C and increased HDL-C when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Both extracts suppressed the effect of the triton injection on TAS and reduced the level of plasma malondialdehyde. The extracts produced no significant change in the blood glucose level but effectively prevented the mild hyperinsulinemia induced by triton. These findings suggest that T. atlanticus may be a useful alternative treatment for the control of hyperlipidemia and its related diseases.

Figure 1

Effect of AE and Pp of Thymus atlanticus on lipid concentrations. (a) TC. (b) TGs. AE, aqueous extract-treated hamsters; HG, hyperlipidemic hamsters; NG, normolipidemic hamsters; Pp, polyphenol fraction-treated hamsters; TC, total cholesterol; TGs, triglycerides. Results are expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed with ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, n = 10. ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, and ^∗∗∗p < 0.001; HG versus NG, AE, and Pp versus HG.

Figure 2

Lipoprotein profiles determined by FPLC. (a) Normolipidemic group. (b) Hyperlipidemic group. (c) AE-treated hamsters. (d) Pp-treated hamsters. HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; TC, total cholesterol; TG,triglycerides; VLDL, very LDL.

Figure 3

Levels of blood glucose (a) and plasma insulin (b). AE, aqueous extract-treated hamsters; HG, hyperlipidemic group; NG, normolipidemic group; Pp, polyphenol fraction-treated hamsters. Results are presented as mean ± SD and analyzed with ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, n = 10. ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, and ^∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant; HG versus NG, AE, and Pp versus HG.

Figure 4

Plasma malondialdehyde levels (a) and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) (b). AE, aqueous extract-treated hamsters; HG, hyperlipidemic hamster; NG, normolipidemic hamsters; Pp, polyphenol fraction-treated hamsters. Results are presented as mean ± SD and analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's test, n = 10. ^∗p < 0.01 and ^∗∗p < 0.001; HG versus NG, AE, and Pp versus HG.