Effects of natural products on functional constipation: analysis of active ingredient and mechanism

Investigation on bowel regulation and constipation relief based on the microbial fermentation solution of cassia seed

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As digestive health issues rise and interest in natural therapies grows, traditional herbs like Cassia Seed are gaining attention for their antioxidant, laxative, and digestive benefits.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to optimize the fermentation conditions of Cassia seed using microbial technology to enhance the content of anthraquinone compounds, thereby augmenting its pharmacological effects, particularly in promoting intestinal peristalsis and alleviating constipation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fermentation of Cassia Seed was conducted under controlled microbial conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze the anthraquinone profile of the fermented solution. Mouse model was utilized to evaluate biochemical markers and intestinal functions, while in the zebrafish constipation model, calcein was utilized as a marker to monitor intestinal function and excretion dynamics. Cassia Seed was fermented under controlled microbial conditions. HPLC was employed to analyze the anthraquinone profile of the fermented solution. Mouse models were utilized to evaluate biochemical markers and intestinal functions, while a zebrafish constipation model used calcein as a marker to monitor intestinal function and excretion dynamics.

RESULTS

The optimized fermentation significantly increased the content of anthraquinone compounds, including substances like emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, and physcion, as confirmed by HPLC analysis. In a mouse constipation model, the fermented solution reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels while increasing acetylcholine (Ach) and gastrin (Gas) levels, thereby promoting intestinal peristalsis and accelerating bowel movements. Additionally, the fermented solution facilitated repair of the colonic mucosa in mice without significant pathological damage such as degeneration or fibrous tissue proliferation. In the zebrafish model, the fermented Cassia Seed solution reduced calcein fluorescence intensity, indicating enhanced intestinal peristalsis and accelerated bowel movements, thereby decreasing calcein retention time in the body.

CONCLUSION

This study investigated the potential clinical applications of fermented Cassia seed ferment in digestive health, providing a theoretical basis and inspiration for further research and development. Additionally, it offers new insights and possibilities for the development of novel natural medicines or functional foods aimed at improving constipation and promoting intestinal health.

Antioxidant and Laxative Effects of Methanol Extracts of Green Pine Cones (Pinus densiflora) in Sprague-Dawley Rats with Loperamide-Induced Constipation

Oxidative stress is the key cause of the etiopathogenesis of several diseases associated with constipation. This study examined whether the green pine cone can improve the symptoms of constipation based on the antioxidant activities. The changes in the key parameters for the antioxidant activity and laxative effects were examined in the loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after being treated with the methanol extracts of green pine cone (MPC, unripe fruits of Pinus densiflora). MPC contained several bioactive compounds, including diterpenoid compounds such as dehydroabietic acid, taxodone, and ferruginol. In addition, it exhibited high scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. These effects of MPC successfully reflected the improvement in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADP) H oxidase transcription, superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation levels in the mid colon of Lop+MPC-treated SD rats. Furthermore, significant improvements in the stool parameters, gastrointestinal (GI) transit, intestine length, and histopathological structure of the mid colon were detected in the Lop-induced constipation rats after MPC treatment. The other parameters, including the regulators for the adherens junction (AJ) and tight junction (TJ), and GI hormone secretion for laxative effects, were improved significantly in Lop+MPC-treated SD rats. These effects were also verified in Lop+MPC-treated primary rat intestine smooth muscle cells (pRISMCs) through analyses for antioxidant defense mechanisms. Overall, the finding of this study offers novel scientific evidence that MPC could be considered as a significant laxative for chronic constipation based on its antioxidant activity.

Senegalin-2: A Novel Hexadecapeptide from Kassina senegalensis with Antibacterial and Muscle Relaxant Activities, and Its Derivative Senegalin-2BK as a Bradykinin Antagonist

The amphibian skin secretions are excellent sources of bioactive peptides, some of which and their derivatives exhibit multiple properties, including antibacterial and antagonism against bradykinin. A novel peptide Senegalin-2 was isolated from the skin secretions of Kassina senegalensis frog. Senegalin-2 relaxed rat bladder smooth muscle (EC50 17.94 nM) and ileum smooth muscle (EC50 135 nM), inhibited S. aureus and MRSA at 2 μM, and exhibited low hemolytic activity with no cytotoxicity. To design effective bradykinin antagonists, Senegalin-2 was conjugated with bradykinin to synthesize Senegalin-2BK. This modification retained potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Compared to Senegalin-2, Senegalin-2BK significantly reduced hemolysis and exhibited a more than threefold increase in the selectivity index. Furthermore, Senegalin-2BK contracted the bladder (EC50 2.83 μM) and ileum (EC50 56.64 nM)'s smooth muscle. The pretreatment with 10-7 M Senegalin-2BK reduced the 10-6 M bradykinin contraction on the bladder by over 70%. In conclusion, Senegalin-2 has dual functionalities as an antibacterial agent and muscle relaxant, positioning it as a potential therapeutic candidate for managing overactive bladder. As a synthetically derived bradykinin antagonist and myotropic peptide with antibacterial properties, Senegalin-2BK shows promise in effective therapies for relieving pain, inflammation, and addressing muscular disorders such as urinary retention, constipation, and infections.

Efficacy and Satisfaction of a Chemically Characterized Malva sylvestris L. Extract-Based Food Supplement for Functional Constipation in Healthy Consumers: Preliminary Results of a Questionnaire-Based Survey

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Malva sylvestris L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities. FC can be reduced through lifestyle factors and dietary intervention. This consumer-based survey aimed to assess the efficacy of a M. sylvestris extract-based food supplement on the improvement of FC.

METHODS

Healthy participants (n = 56), enrolled in a consumer-based survey, took a food supplement containing a chemically characterized M. sylvestris extract at a dose of 20 mL/day (containing 750 mg of M. sylvestris extract rich in food fiber and polyphenols) for 20 days on the advice of their pharmacist. The study evaluated bowel movement frequency (intestinal diary), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS), and abdominal pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), at baseline (T0), after 10 days (T1), and after 20 days (T2).

RESULTS

A significant increase in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency (p < 0.001) with a significant decrease in abdominal pain (p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, this food supplement was well-tolerated as no adverse effects were reported by the enrolled subjects.

CONCLUSION

M. sylvestris-based food supplement showed promising effectiveness and satisfaction in improving FC in healthy subjects, however, randomized clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Extraction of Soluble Dietary Fiber from Sunflower Receptacles (Helianthus annuus L.) and Its Alleviating Effect on Constipation in Mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Sunflower receptacles are the main by-product of the processing of Helianthus annuus L.

METHODS

In this study, several extraction methods of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from sunflower receptacles were evaluated, and then, the physicochemical structure and functional properties of these SDFs were examined. Finally, a mouse constipation model was established to explore its therapeutic potential for constipation.

RESULTS

The results showed that the SDF yield of citric acid extraction and enzyme extraction was better than that of hot-water extraction. Structural characterization showed that the three SDF functional groups were similar and amorphous, while the surface distribution of the SDF obtained by the citric acid extraction method (ASDF) had more fine pores. Physicochemical analysis showed that ASDF had the best water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and expansion force. Animal experiments showed that the first black stool defecation time of the model group changed significantly (p < 0.001), indicating that the model was successful. Compared with the model group, the middle- and high-dose groups reduced the first black stool defecation time (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and increased the fecal water content (p < 0.05). The high-dose group significantly promoted the intestinal peristalsis of mice (p < 0.05). From hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, it can be seen that the three dose groups of ASDF can improve the damage of mouse colon tissue induced by loperamide hydrochloride to a certain extent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that ASDF has good physical and chemical properties and laxative properties and has broad development space in the field of health food.

Integrated metabolic profiles and microbial communities to reveal the beneficial effect of red pitaya on early constipation

Pitaya is a well-known fruit widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical tropical regions, and is characterized by its flesh colour into red, white, and yellow pitaya. Red pitaya has dark red flesh and is the preferred choice among consumers due to its superior taste compared to other varieties. Red pitaya has been known to cause diarrhoea, and studies have reported that pitaya does this by drawing moisture into the intestines, resulting in defecation. However, the exact mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, mass spectrometry was employed to identify small molecular compounds in red pitaya powder, and a loperamide hydrochloride-induced early constipation mouse model was used to assess the efficacy of red pitaya. 16S rDNA and non-targeted metabolomics techniques were used to systematically reveal the regulatory characteristics of the intestinal flora and to identify the intestinal metabolites associated with constipation. The results showed that 44 novel small molecular compounds were identified from red pitaya powder, including a variety of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Pathological results showed that administration of red pitaya powder at a high dose (1000 mg kg-1) significantly ameliorated the abnormal expansion of intestinal goblet cells observed in the early stages of constipation. In addition, early constipation increased metabolites such as serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophol, which were normalized following the ingestion of red pitaya powder. Furthermore, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parasutterella, and other abnormal gut microbiota associated with early constipation returned to healthy levels after the ingestion of red pitaya powder. Finally, significant correlations were observed between the expression of 33 different serum metabolites and the abundance of eight kinds of intestinal flora. Consequently, red pitaya holds potential as a safe food supplement for the prevention or amelioration of early-stage constipation.