Intestinal anti-inflammatory and visceral analgesic effects of a Serpylli herba extract in an experimental model of irritable bowel syndrome in rats

• Published in: Frontiers in pharmacology 2022-09, Vol.13, p.967644-967644
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Malagón, Antonio Jesús, Rodríguez-Sanchez, María José, Rodríguez-Sojo, María Jesús, Vezza, Teresa, Pischel, Ivo, Algieri, Francesca, Rodríguez-Cabezas, María Elena, Rodríguez-Nogales, Alba, Gálvez, Julio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: IBS rat model; intestine anti inflammatory activity; Pharmacology; Serpylli herba; T. serpyllum L; visceral analgesia
• ISSN: 1663-9812; 1663-9812
• DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.967644

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Serpylli herba extract (SHE), composed of the aerial parts of wild thyme ( Thymus serpyllum L.) ( Lamiaceae family), is traditionally used in Europe and North Africa to treat diarrhea, gastric ulcers, intestinal parasites and upper respiratory tract infections. Recently, SHE has generated a great interest for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management, probably due to its intestinal anti-inflammatory properties shown in experimental colitis and the fact that its active components could preserve the intestinal barrier integrity, which is altered in patients with IBS. Aim of study: We aimed to test the effects of a SHE in a rat experimental model resembling human IBS. Materials and methods: IBS was provoked by deoxycholic acid (DCA). Rats were then treated with SHE (100 mg/kg) or gabapentin (70 mg/kg) and different inflammatory and gut barrier integrity markers were evaluated. Moreover, several gut hypersensitivity and hyperalgesia determinations were performed. Results: SHE improved referred pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Additionally, SHE enhanced immune status by downregulating of the expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators Il-1β, Il-6, Ifn-γ, Tlr-4, and the inducible enzyme Cox-2 , thus inducing visceral analgesia, and promoting the restore of the gut barrier function by upregulating the mucins Muc-2 and Muc-3 . These anti-inflammatory effects could be related to its action on mast cells since it significantly inhibited the β -Hexosaminidase production in RBL-2H3 cells. Lastly, SHE also seems to modulate the serotonin pathway by restoring the altered expression of the 5-HT receptors Htr-3 and Htr-4 . Conclusion: SHE could be considered a potential new treatment for IBS, since it ameliorates hypersensitivity, visceral hyperalgesia, and inflammation. These beneficial effects may be due to the inhibition of mast cells degranulation and serotonin pathway.