Phytochemical Composition, Acute Toxicity, and Antidiarrheal Effects of Hydroethanolic Extract of Thymus saturejoides Coss. from Demnate (Central High Atlas, Morocco)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.12854Keywords:
T. saturejoides, Antidiarrheal, In vivo, Oxidative stress, Castor oil, Polyphenol, MiceAbstract
The medicinal plant Thymus saturejoides Coss, is traditionally used by the people of the Moroccan High Atlas for a wide range of therapeutic indications, and is particularly recognized for its gastroprotective effects. However, despite its widespread use in traditional pharmacopoeia, in vivo investigations dedicated to evaluating its gastroprotective activities remain limited. This research aimed to examine the protective potency of the hydroethanolic extract of this species against diarrhea. The hydroethanolic extract of the plant’s aerial parts was analyzed by HPLC. Swiss mice were used as a castor oil-induced diarrhea model to assess antidiarrheal effects. Markers of intestinal oxidative stress were evaluated photometrically. Hydroethanolic extracts of T. saturejoides demonstrated a significant anti-diarrheal efficacy in mice, with dose-dependent inhibition of symptoms (39.39% and 58.77% at 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively). These effects were manifested by a decrease in intestinal motility and an improvement in the anti-diarrheal index. In addition, the extract exerted a protective action against oxidative damage by reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA) and recovering catalase and peroxidase activities. Histological analyses confirmed a dose-dependent protective effect, with almost complete restoration of intestinal architecture at 100 mg/kg. Results underline the pharmacological potential of T. saturejoides in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, combining antidiarrheal, antioxidant and mucosa-protective properties.
HIGHLIGHTS
- HETS was rich in polyphenols, mainly dominated by rutin, p-coumaric, and vanillic acids.
- HETS possessed significant anti-diarrheal activity, supported by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mucosal protective effects.
- The study validated its traditional use and paves the way for future research to isolate the active ingredients and clarify the molecular mechanisms.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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