Effect of an antidiabetic polysaccharide from Inula japonica on constipation in normal and two models of experimental constipated mice

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of an antidiabetic polysaccharide (IJP) from Inula japonica on gastrointestinal transit in normal mice and on constipation in two models of constipated mice. Two models of constipation in mice were respectively induced by fasted water for 4 days or induced by diphenoxylate. The normal and constipated mice were administered IJP once at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg (p.o.), the gastrointestinal vermicular motion, start time of defecation, number and weight of stool were investigated. After administration of IJP, the gastrointestinal propulsive rate was increased by 9.79% and 10.42%, the start time of defecation was shortened by 37.27% and 44.06%, the number of feces increased by 115.4% and 130.8% in normal mice. In fasting-water constipated mice, the start time of defecation was shortened by 9.69% and 30.52% by IJP, defecation granules raised by 22.09% and 39.53%, wet feces weights were increased by 23.50% and 39.14% compared with the untreated constipated mice. In diphenoxylate-induced mice, the start time of defecation was shortened by 25.48% and 28.13%, defecation granules raised by 100.0% and 118.0%. Consumption of IJP effectively improved bowel movement, stool output observed in this study. IJP may be practical in relieving constipation in the elderly diabetic population.