Studying the potential healthy benefits of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) fed hyperlipidemic animal models targeting gut microbiota activities and compositions

 Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), in arabic zatar/satar, used for long history as a medicinal healer and protector by improving and supporting the immune and respiratory systems additionally to help the digestive, nervous and other body systems.  Our current study aimed to measure the influence of thyme -enriched diet on gut microbiota activities and compositions in correlation to hyperlipidemic condition; its implications for cholesterol management between animal models. Thyme has been added as fresh (5 and 10%) and dried (2 and 5%) to hyperlipidemic rats with negative and positive control groups for four weeks. Blood and feacal samples collected at the end of the experimental, then serum and colonic microbiota profiles (Bifidobacteria, Clostridium histolyticum, and Lactobacillus) were estimated. Data demonstrated significant (p≤0.05) health activities after feeding both fresh thyme concentrations (5 and 10%) comparing to the dried samples (2 and 5%). It has been shown that levels of cholesterol and HDL were declined significantly (P≤0.05) comparing to control (+) group. Also, gut microbiota compositions mainly Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus were higher after fresh samples consumption in contrast to the Clostridium levels that were decreased. Furthermore, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs; acetate, propionate and butyrate) had an increase with especial refer to colonic fuel; butyrate. To conclude up, feeding thyme (zatar) showed prospective effects on colonic microbiota composition in order to improve the quality of gut health which in turn could possibly serve as a novel therapeutic tool for hyperlipidemic patients. However, we recommend paying attention in the future to carry out more and more research in the area of medical plants and colonic bacterial interactions with extending its applications in human diets, industrial and medical fields