Thymus vulgaris seed extract hampered hepatic oxidative burden and improved insulin sensitivity in obese male rats

Abstract

Thyme, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, stands out as a noteworthy herb with diverse applications. This study investigates the impact of Thymus vulgaris seed extract administration on hepatic oxidative burden, insulin sensitivity, and liver function in obese rats. The T. vulgaris-treated groups, particularly the high-dose (400 mg/kg) group, showed substantial reductions in waist size, body weight, and BMI compared to the obese group. While reducing inflammatory markers, T. vulgaris seed extract supplementation demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver function, and antioxidant status. Histopathological examination of hepatic tissues confirmed the curing effects of T. vulgaris seed extract, as shown by improvements in hepatic architecture and a reduction in the deleterious changes induced by obesity. LC-MS was used to identify 32 metabolites in the seed extract of T. vulgaris with methoxyflavonoids as the most prevalent class. In conclusion, T. vulgaris seed extract administration exhibited promising anti-obesity effects, influencing anthropometric measures, lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver function, and inflammatory and hepatic oxidative stress markers in obese rats. The study culminated in the potential therapeutic role of T. vulgaris seed in managing obesity-related complications.