## 5 Conclusions  
Research has shown that dietary polyphenols can positively influence the gastrointestinal tract and gut microbiota. _Thymbra spicata_, a Mediterranean plant rich in polyphenols, may play an important role in gut physiology. Here, we found that _T. spicata_'s nutritional and phytochemical composition, as well as its antioxidant potential, elevate its potential use as a valuable component of the diet. Furthermore, its interaction with the gut microbiota demonstrates its ability to help maintain a balanced microbial environment and beneficial metabolites, and it can potentially address pathogenic bacterial overgrowth during dysbiosis, a condition associated with various diseases. The ethanolic extract of _T. spicata_ has shown promise for use in enhancing intestinal barrier resistance, which is crucial for preserving gut integrity and preventing conditions such as leaky gut syndrome. In addition, understanding the alterations in microbial populations and their potential functional implications in response to _T. spicata_ is a critical aspect that warrants further investigation. Further studies must better define the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of _T. spicata_ on microbial growth and the ionic permeability and barrier function of the intestinal tissue. **Supplementary Materials:** The following supporting information can be downloaded at: [[https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu16050588/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu16050588/s1)]([https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu16050588/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu16050588/s1)), Table S1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), expressed as ppm, of fecal medium and Thymbra digest (FMTD), fecal slurry (FS) and fecal slurry and Thymbra digest (FSTD) samples. Data are expressed as average \(\pm\) standard deviation. **Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, M.K. and P.P. ; methodology, M.K., F.P., C.A.A., A.A. and I.I. ; software, L.M. and V.P. ; formal analysis, M.V. and G.C. ; investigation, M.D.A. ; writing--original draft preparation, M.K. ; writing--review and editing, P.P., R.C. and G.P. ; supervision, M.C. ; funding acquisition, P.P. and M.D.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. **Funding:** [PERSON] is a grant recipient and [PERSON] is an assistant researcher (RTDA) in a project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3--Call for tender No. 341 of 15/03/2022 of Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union--Next Generation EU Award Number: Project code PE0000003, Concession Decree No. 1550 of 11/10/2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP D93C22000890001, Project title \"Research and innovation network on food and nutrition Sustainability, Safety and Security--Working ON Foods\" (ONFoods). [PERSON] is the coordinator of the B4 HT project \"Box for Health by Tradition & Innovation: promoting sustainable mediterranean diet by Healthy Foods\" funded by the PRIMA project, Section 2--Multi-topic 2022. Project partners: University of Bari Aldo Moro (Italy), University of Genoa (Italy), Lebanese University (Lebanon), and University of Monastir (Tunisia). PP is recipient of HORIZON-HLTH-2022-STAYHLTH-01-05-two-stage Project 101080329--PAS GRAS with the following partners: Universidade De Coimbra, Portugal; Uppsala Universitet, Sweden; Universidade Nova De Lisboa, Portugal; Fundacio Eurecat (Eurecat), Barcelona, Spain; Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Cnr), Roma Italy; Instituto Politecnico De Viana De Castelo, Viana Do Castelo 4900-347, Portugal; Technische Universitet Muenchen (Tum), Muenchen, Germany; Institut Biologi Dosniadczulne Im.