Abstract
BackgroundKorean cactus Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) is rich in pectin, phenols, flavonoids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Some Koreans drink Cheonnyuncho juice prepared by grinding Cheonnyuncho with water. Cheonnyuncho is well known for its functional properties and antioxidant effects, but its effect on constipation has not been sufficiently studied.MethodsLoperamide (2 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: a normal group (NOR), constipation control group (CON), and two constipation groups receiving the Cheonnyuncho extract (CE) at two different concentrations in drinking water, 3% (L-CE group) and 6% (H-CE group), for 25 days.ResultsThe fecal pellet numbers of NOR and L-CE were significantly increased from 35.67 ± 2.09 (CON) to 50.60 ± 1.38 and 46.50 ± 2.91 after loperamide treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). The water content of fecal excretions was significantly enhanced in only the L-CE group (33.05 ± 0.49%) compared to control (23.38 ± 1.26%) (p < 0.05) after loperamide treatment. The oral intake of CE (L-CE and H-CE groups) significantly increased levels of the intestinal transit ratio (45.25 ± 1.86% and 41.05 ± 2.47%, respectively) compared to the CON group (32.15 ± 2.05%) (p < 0.05). Treatment with the low concentration of CE significantly increased fecal levels of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids, as well as the total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. Histological analyses revealed that the thickness of the distal colon also increased in the CE-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsConstipation decreased when CE was fed to the rats. In particular, the fecal pellet number and water content, as well as histological parameters such as distal colon thickness, improved. The CE treatment also increased the fecal SCFA content. These results show that the extract of Cheonnyuncho (O. humifusa) alleviated the symptoms of loperamide-induced constipation.
Highlights
Korean cactus Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) is rich in pectin, phenols, flavonoids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus
We investigated the effect of an extract of the cactus on loperamideinduced constipation in rats
Dietary fiber and mucilage content of Cheonnyuncho Compared with other plants, Opuntia spp. cladodes exhibit very strong physical properties, such as waterholding capacity, swelling, and viscosity
Summary
Korean cactus Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) is rich in pectin, phenols, flavonoids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. O. humifusa is a good source of dietary fiber, and when added to food as a supplement, can provide beneficial health effects and prevent colonic diseases. Oral intake of the fruit or stem of O. humifusa on an empty stomach has been shown to be effective in treating constipation and urination problems, increasing intestinal movement, and improving appetite [11]. Scientific evidence of the correlation between O. humifusa intake and constipation improvement has not been presented to date. It is worth investigating the laxative effects of an extract of the cactus in an animal model of constipation to verify its mechanism of action under physiological conditions. We investigated the effect of an extract of the cactus on loperamideinduced constipation in rats
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