Constipation In Rats Research Articles

Laxative effect of probiotic chocolate on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

The fecal morphology, defecation frequency, bowel function, intestinal motility, and fecal bacterial composition were evaluated to investigate the laxative effect of probiotic chocolate containing Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5193 (LYC) on loperamide-induced constipated rats. Daily oral administration of LYC in constipated rats for two weeks was shown to significantly increase (n = 14) the defecation frequency, fecal moisture content, and relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Moreover, histological analysis of the distal colon of constipated rats revealed that LYC treatment can also increase the thickness of the colonic mucosa and muscle layers, and crypt of Lieberkühn. LYC also significantly increased (n = 5) the intestinal motility and modulated (n = 9) mRNA expression levels of colonic ZO-1 and Cldn-1 in the constipated rats. Altogether, these results demonstrate that probiotic chocolate has potential as a dietary adjunct for the treatment of constipation.

Correction: The combination of Cassia obtusifolia L. and Foeniculum vulgare M. exhibits a laxative effect on loperamide-induced constipation of rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195624.].

Therapeutic effect of protease-activated receptor 2 agonist SLIGRL-NH2 on loperamide-induced Sprague-Dawley rat constipation model and the related mechanism.

PurposeTo investigate the therapeutic effects of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) agonist SLIGRL-NH2 on loperamide-induced Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat constipation animal models.Materials and methodsLoperamide was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation twice a day for 3 days. SD rats (n = 30) were randomly divided into five groups: non-constipation group (control, n = 6), constipation group (constipation, n = 6), constipation + SLIGRL-NH2 low-dosage group (SLIGRL-NH2 low, n=6), constipation + SLIGRL-NH2 high-dosage group (SLIGRL-NH2 high, n = 6), and constipation + prucalopride (positive control, n = 6). The SLIGRL-NH2 low group and SLIGRL-NH2 high group were administered with 2.5 μmol/kg and 5 μmol/kg SLIGRL-NH2, respectively, and the prucalopride group received 2 mg/kg prucalopride. The control and constipation group received 1× PBS under the same pattern. SLIGRL-NH2 and prucalopride were orally administrated once daily for 7 days. On the final day of oral administration, food intake, water intake, the number of stool pellets, weight, and fecal water content was calculated; moreover, the colons of rats in different groups were collected and histological features were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining; furthermore, the expression of anoctamin-1 was determined by Immunohistochemical methods, and the expressions of c-kit and PAR-2 were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods; finally, the expressions of neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) were examined using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay methods.ResultsThe feeding and excretion behaviors, intestinal transit ratio, and the histological feature of the colon in the constipated rats were all improved by SLIGRL-NH2 treatment; moreover, SLIGRL-NH2 treatment induced significant increase in the expression of PAR-2 and also increased number of interstitial Cajal cells. Furthermore, SLIGRL-NH2 also decreased the contents of the inhibitory neurotransmitter VIP and increased the expression of the excitatory neurotransmitter SP. High dose of SLIGRL-NH2 has shown similar anti-constipation effects as prucalopride.ConclusionThese results suggested that SLIGRL-NH2 can enhance gastrointestinal transit and alleviate in rats with loperamide-induced constipation.

Electroacupuncture treatments for gut motility disorders

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are common and there are patients who are refractory to medical therapies as not all treatments work in all patients. Consequently, a large number of patients with functional GI diseases use complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA). In this issue, Zheng etal. reported interesting results of a multi-center placebo-controlled clinical study on the use of EA for treating refractory functional dyspepsia; another study reported a multi-center clinical trial on EA for chronic functional constipation; Liang etal. studied mechanisms of EA involving enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters in treating constipation in rats. While controversial reports are available in the literature, EA with appropriate methodologies as shown in these recent studies is believed to be effective in treating certain functional GI diseases. In this mini-review, a number of clinical studies, including those included in this issue on the use of EA for treating gastro-esophageal reflux, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation are reviewed. Some critically important issues, such as the choice of stimulation parameters for EA, the administration frequency of the therapy, and the appropriate choice of placebo for clinical research are also discussed. Mechanisms of action involved in the therapeutic effects of EA for gut dysmotility and future research directions are also presented.

Mo1572 - Activation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Chloride Channel by Cannabidis Semen, a Component of Mashiningan, Contributes to Improvement of Opioid-Induced Constipation in Rats

Mo1572 - Activation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Chloride Channel by Cannabidis Semen, a Component of Mashiningan, Contributes to Improvement of Opioid-Induced Constipation in Rats

Mo1580 - Regulation of Enteric Nervous System via Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Constipated Rats

Mo1580 - Regulation of Enteric Nervous System via Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Constipated Rats

Manipulation of intestinal dysbiosis by a bacterial mixture ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

Constipation has a significant influence on quality of life. Patients with constipation have slow waves in their gastrointestinal smooth muscles and less faecal water contents, which are closely associated with down-regulation of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastrointestinal muscles and the aquaporin protein AQP3 expressed in colon epithelial cells. Recent studies supported that patients with constipation have altered intestinal microbial structures compared with healthy controls. Intestinal dysbiosis might be one possible pathophysiological mechanism causing constipation. Bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus spp., have shown many beneficial effects on the amelioration of constipation. However, few studies reported the structural changes of intestinal microbiota post-intervention of probiotics. In this study, a bacterial mixture was administrated to rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Effects of the bacterial mixture on small intestine transit (SIT), faecal water content, and the intestinal microbiome in rats were evaluated. Meanwhile, we investigated several factors involved in signalling pathways that regulate function of ICC and expression of AQP3 to discuss the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Intervention of the bacterial mixture improved SIT and faecal water content in constipated rats. The up-regulation of C-kit/SP signalling pathways in ICC and AQP3 significantly contributed to improvements. These changes were closely associated with the manipulation of intestinal dysbiosis in constipated rats. Furthermore, our results revealed the important role of intestinal microbiota in affecting gut motility through regulation of serotonin biosynthesis. This monoamine neurotransmitter, secreted from enterochromaffin cells, up-regulated both substance P/neurokinin 1 receptors pathway of ICC and the expression of AQP3 in intestinal epithelial cells. Our study suggested that the disrupted microbiome in patients could be a potential therapeutic target for the improvement of constipation.

Bacterial Cellulose Relieves Diphenoxylate-Induced Constipation in Rats.

This study was to probe the effects of bacterial cellulose (BC) on diphenoxylate-induced constipation in rats. Administration with BC at 500 mg/kg of body weight in diphenoxylate-induced constipation rats distinctly improved the carmine propulsion rate (83.5 ± 5.2%), shortened the defecating time of the first red feces (249.0 ± 23.3 min), and increased the weight of carmine red feces within 5 h (2.7 ± 1.3 g). The levels of aquaporins (AQP-2, AQP-3, and AQP-4) and inhibitory neurotransmitters (nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthetase, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and arginine vasopressin) in the BC-treated groups reduced by 31.9-40.0% ( p < 0.01) and 21.1-67.7% ( p < 0.01) compared to those in the constipation group, respectively. However, the secretion of excitability neurotransmitters (substance P and motilin) in the BC-treated groups was increased by 20.0-39.9% ( p < 0.01). The activities of ATPases in the colon of constipation rats were significantly weakened by BC administration ( p < 0.01). Histological morphology of the colon showed that BC supplementation could effectively increase the length of villus cells and the thickness of colonic mucosa and muscle ( p < 0.01). Moreover, BC supplementation could protect colonic smooth muscle cells against apoptosis. All of the findings suggest that BC supplementation effectively relieves constipation in rats and BC would be used as a great promising dietary fiber for alleviating constipation.

The combination of Cassia obtusifolia L. and Foeniculum vulgare M. exhibits a laxative effect on loperamide-induced constipation of rats.

Chronic constipation is a functional gastrointestinal disease that is detrimental to the quality of patient life. Cassia obtusifolia L. (CO) and Foeniculum vulgare M. (FV) are commonly used as medicinal foods in many countries. We aimed to examine the laxative effect and their underlying mechanism of CO and FV mixture on loperamide (lop)-induced constipated rats. To determine the laxative effects of these compounds, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: the control, lop-induced constipated (2mg/kg), and three doses (100, 300, and 500mg/kg) of CO and FV mixture-, and Bisacodyl (bis, 3.3mg/kg)-treated groups. The mixture of CO and FV and bis were orally administered once a day for 4 weeks. For induction of constipation, the lop were treated with a dose of 2 mg/kg twice a day on the 3rd week after treatments of CO and FV extracts and bis. The results were revealed that the CO and FV mixture has the laxative effects more than those in CO and FV-alone treatments on constipated rats by determining the stool parameters, including stool number and weight. Indeed, stool parameters, such as, stool number, weight, and water contents and colonic peristalsis from the intestinal transit length and ratio were dramatically improved by CO and FV mixture treatment. Histological study also revealed that CO and FV mixture enhanced the thicknesses of mucosa and muscular layers of the colon in constipated rats. For their underlying mechanism, the mRNAs and proteins expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchR) M2 and M3 and their downstream signaling were preserved by CO and FV mixture treatment in constipated rats. Therefore, this study suggests that treatment with CO and FV mixture has beneficial effects against constipation. We further suggest that CO and FV mixture may be utilized as an alternative therapeutic strategy for constipation.

Hot-water extract of the branches of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) ameliorates low-fiber diet-induced constipation in rats.

Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae), also known as oriental raisin tree, is used in traditional herbal medicine. Its extracts have been reported to show various pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotection, antitumor, antiatopic dermatitis, antilipid peroxidation, anti-steatotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic activities. However, there have been no reports on the effect of H. dulcis extracts in relieving constipation so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a hot-water extract of the branches of H. dulcis (WEHD) on low-fiber diet-induced constipation in Sprague Dawley rats. The in vivo laxative activity of WEHD was assessed by measuring the intestinal transit of charcoal meal and stool parameters. Furthermore, the in vitro spasmogenic activity of WEHD was evaluated by monitoring the temporal profiles of contraction of rat colon in the absence or presence of WEHD. In addition, constituent profiling was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Pretreatment with WEHD significantly enhanced the intestinal transit of charcoal meal and increased the frequency and weight of stools in rats. In addition, the frequency and amplitude of contractile responses of isolated rat colon were markedly enhanced by WEHD. Two organic phenolic acids, ferulic and vanillic acids, were identified in WEHD, of which vanillic acid exhibited spasmogenic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the laxative and spasmogenic activities of H. dulcis and its constituents, suggesting that WEHD can serve as a complementary and/or alternative laxative in alleviating chronic constipation.

Complex-oligosaccharide composed of galacto-oligosaccharide and lactulose ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

The purpose of this study was to compare the beneficial effects of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), lactulose, and a complex-oligosaccharide composed with GOS and lactulose (Com-oligo) on loperamide-induced constipation in SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into the following eight groups: the normal group (Nor); constipation control group (Con); and 6 constipation groups fed low and high doses of GOS, lactulose (Lac), and Com-oligo, respectively. Com-oligo increased intestinal transit ratio and relieved constipation in loperamide-treated rats. The group receiving a high dose of Com-oligo favorably regulated gastrointestinal functions such as pellet number, weight, moisture content, short chain fatty acid, intestinal transit ratio, and bifidobacterium number in constipated rats. In addition, Com-oligo restored peristalsis of the small intestine, morphology of colon, and increased interstitial cells of Cajal area. Thus, providing Com-oligo as an oligosaccharide ingredient in nutritional formulas could benefit the health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects and mechanisms of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented grain germ on constipation in rats treated with loperamide

Effects and mechanisms of <i>Aspergillus oryzae</i>-fermented grain germ on constipation in rats treated with loperamide

Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria-Fermented Mulberry Leaf Extract on the Improvement of Intestinal Function in Rats.

This study examined the laxative effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which contains high levels of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, against loperamide-induced constipation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal group (N) and three experimental groups; loperamide treated group (C), loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 300 mg/kg treated group (MLEL), and loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 600 mg/kg treated group (MLEH). After 33 d, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal, gastrointestinal transit time and length, and serum lipid profiles were measured. Constipation was induced via subcutaneous injection of loperamide (2.0 mg/kg b.w., twice a day) for the final 5 d of the experiment. After loperamide administration, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significantly increase in the fecal pellets number, wet weight, and water content in rats compared with the C group. Moreover, increases in the intestinal length and viable Lactobacillus numbers in the feces were observed in the LAB-fermented MLE groups. The intestinal transit time was shorter in the LAB-fermented MLE groups than in the C group. In addition, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol level. These results indicated that oral administration of LAB-fermented MLE shows laxative effect in loperamide-induced constipated rats.

Amelioration of Constipation by Cordyceps militaris Polysaccharides

The effect of constipation of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) polysaccharide was evaluated in rat constipated models. Constipation was induced by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride at a dosage of 0.75 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days. C. militaris polysaccharide at doses of 800, 400, 200 mg/kg (1 mL/100 g weight) were administered to loperamide-treated rats for 7 days. The serum levels of motilin, gastrin and substance P were significantly increased in the Loperamide/Maren group (P &lt; 0.05) and C. militaris polysaccharide high dose group (P &lt; 0.05) compared with the Loperamide only group. The levels of somatostatin in the Loperamide/Maren group (P &lt; 0.05) and C. militaris polysaccharide high dose group (P &lt; 0.05) were significantly decreased. Colon tissue slices were examined for any histologic changes. Colon tissues from constipated rats showed ruptured and abnormal cells. Such changes were less common in rats treated with high-dose C. militaris polysaccharide.

Mashiningan Improves Opioid-Induced Constipation in Rats by Activating Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Chloride Channel.

Opioid receptor stimulants are analgesics used in patients with and without cancer; however, they often cause constipation, resulting in poor adherence and deterioration of the quality of life. Hence, suitable treatments for constipation are required. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological mechanisms of action of mashiningan (MNG), a Kampo medicine used to treat constipation, and evaluated the effect of MNG on opioid-induced constipation in rats. MNG (100 or 300 mg/kg) was orally administered to normal or codeine phosphate (CPH)-induced constipation in rats, and its effect was evaluated on the basis of fecal counts, characteristics, and weight. Small intestinal fluid secretion was measured after treatment with MNG alone or coadministration with a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-specific inhibitor (CFTRinh-172). The effects of MNG on the CFTR and type-2 chloride channel were determined using patch-clamp or short-circuit current experiments, respectively. MNG increased the fecal weight and proportion of soft feces in normal rats. CPH-induced constipation in rats decreased fecal counts and weight, whereas MNG prevented these effects and increased the proportion of soft feces. MNG increased the electronic chloride current, and this effect was inhibited by the CFTRinh-172 in the CFTR assay. Furthermore, MNG increased small intestinal fluid secretion, and this effect was abolished by coadministration with the CFTRinh-172. MNG improved opioid-induced constipation in rats, and this improvement may have been mediated by increasing intestinal fluid secretion via CFTR chloride channel activation. Therefore, MNG is expected as a medicine of the treatment of constipation in patients taking opioids.

Prophylactic Effect of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© Administration on Loperamide ‐ induced Constipation in Rats

Constipation is defined as a stressful defecation which can lead to the risks of bowel obstruction and life‐threatening complications. Probiotics have received increasing attention as a natural way of promoting health and preventing diseases. Members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in particular; have been shown to promote gastrointestinal health through modulation of gut microbiota and gut immunity. Owing to their health‐promoting benefits, probiotic bacteria could be used for the treatment of constipation. It has also been suggested that chocolate can be used as a potential cryoprotectant candidate and carrier for delivering a probiotic formulation targeted to the colon. In previous studies, we found that consumption of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© containing Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and L.plantarum LRCC5193 improved symptoms of constipation in loperamide ‐ induced constipation rat model. However, very little work has addressed the potential protective effect of probiotic chocolate against constipation. Therefore, this animal trial was designed to investigate the potential prophylactic effect of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© on loperamide – induced constipation in rats. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups; N (no constipation), C (constipation), CHO (constipation + chocolate), Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© (constipation + chocolate + 1010 CFU/day of Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5193), BB12 (constipation + chocolate + 1010 CFU/day of B. animalis subsp. lactis BB12), BL6 (constipation + chocolate + 1010 CFU/day of L. brevis subsp. coagulans). Feed and water was fed in ad libitum. The rats were treated for a total of 4 weeks and constipation was induced by daily loperamide (5mg/kg) administration at the fourth week. At the end of experiment, colon and blood serum were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Additionally, fecal samples were also collected once a week during the pre‐treatment period, and three times in the constipation induction period for microbial profile analysis. Our results showed that MG510 + LRCC5193‐fed group had significantly (P&lt; 0.05) higher mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin, ZO‐1), thicker colonic mucosa and a higher number of goblet cells compared to the N and C groups. Moreover, MG510 + LRCC5193 group also had significantly (P&lt; 0.05) higher motility score compared to the C and CHO groups. Fecal analyses also further revealed that administration of MG510 + LRCC5193 is not only increased and normalized fecal moisture content, but also altered the composition of gut microbiota. Hence, these results collectively demonstrate that 4 week administration of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© can modulate the gut microbiota and improve intestinal functions in ways that could attenuate the risk of constipation.

Su1519 - Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Channel Activator Mashiningan Improves Fiber-Free Dietinduced Constipation in Rats

Su1519 - Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Channel Activator Mashiningan Improves Fiber-Free Dietinduced Constipation in Rats

Laxative Effect of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© on Loperamide‐induced Constipation in Rats

Constipation is a common healthcare problem affecting all age groups throughout the world. Recently, dietary approach using probiotic intervention is increasingly recognized as a natural health improving supplement, attributed to their beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health. Probiotics, lactic acid bacteria strains, in particular, are frequently incorporated into fermented milk products, but other confectionery products are also widely available and potentially developed as functional confectionery products. It has been suggested that chocolate is an excellent protective carrier for optimal delivery of the bacterium into the colon, and could be an attractive alternative probiotic supplements for consumers. Despite these suggestions, little attempt has been made to incorporate probiotics into chocolate and to evaluate their potential applicability on gastrointestinal health. Thus, the potential gastrointestinal health benefits of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© containing Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and Lactobacillus plantarumLRCC5193 was investigated on rodents model with loperamide‐induced constipation. The constipated Sprague Dawley rats were induced intragastrically with loperamide (5 m/kg) for 7 days, followed by another 14 days of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© treatment (2 × 1010 CFU/day). Colon and ileum was collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Meanwhile, fecal samples were collected for moisture content, appearance and microbiota analysis. Blood serum samples were also collected for biochemical analyses (TG, TC, MPO activity), respectively. Feeding of Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© to constipated rats were shown to increase fecal pellet number and moisture content, as well as modulate microbiota which is associated with constipation. Moreover, Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© treatment was capable of increasing the thickness of the colonic mucosa, colon muscle layer and the number of goblet cells, intestinal motility, and up‐regulating mRNA expression levels of ileum and colonic tight junction proteins altered by constipation. Additionally, Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© also exerted immunomodulatory effects, as demonstrated by a reduction of systemic inflammatory markers and improvement of the histological lesions in the colon. Altogether, these results demonstrate that Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© had significant positive effects on loperamide‐induced constipation and also in immunomodulatory alteration in colon region. Lotte Probiotic Chocolat© may be effective as dietary adjuncts for the treatment of constipation.

Establishment and effect observation on three kinds of Ti-Xu with constipation rat models

To establish three types constipation models with the syndrome of Xue-Xu, Yin-Xu and Yang-Xu in rats, and to compare the difference of colonic motility, colonic water metabolism, colonic mucus secretion and the level of aquaporin-2 (AQP2). Forty Sprague Dawley rats, male and female in half, were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group(N), Xue-Xu with constipation group(XC), Yin-Xu with constipation group(YC) and Yang-Xu with constipation group(YAC). Bloodletting and loperamide were used to induce the Xue-Xu with constipation in rats, thyroxin and loperamide were used to induce the Yin-Xu with constipation in rats, ice-water stimulation and loperamide were used to induce the Yang-Xu with constipation in rats. Bloodletting was coducted once a week,drug was ad-ministrated orally to rats once a day for continuous 42 days. Rats'state, body weights, stool character, transfer time between mouth and anal, small intestinal propulsion rate were measured. The colon tissues of rats were stained with alcian blue-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) to analyze the changes of mucus secretion. The aquaporin-2 expressions in proximal and distal colon of rats were measured by immunohistochemical method. Compared to normal control group, weight-increasing speed of the rats were reduced in three models. The order of indepen-dent movement change was YC, XC and YAC. Solid stool appeared at 30 d, fecal scores were increased. Transfer time between mouth and anal was significantly extended, small intestinal propulsion rate were significantly decreased(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Water content in stool were significantly decreased in three type models(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the content of water in colon were decreased in XC and YAC group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The colonic gland and goblet cells were narrowed in some extent, the mucus excretion were decreased. The levels of aquaporin-2 expressions in proximal and distal colon of rats were increased(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), increasing order of AQP2 expression in proximal colon was YAC, YC and XC, increasing order of AQP2 expression in distal colon was YAC, XC and YC. Long term stimulation of complex factors could induce Ti-Xu with constipation animal model, and there were some differences in colonic motility, water metabolism, colonic mucus secretion and AQP2 in rats.

Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) water extract ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in rats

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.