Laxative Effects of Phlorotannins Derived from Ecklonia cava on Loperamide-Induced Constipation in SD Rats

This study investigated the laxative effects of phlorotannins (Pt) derived from Ecklonia cava (E. cave) on chronic constipation by evaluating alterations in stool parameters, gastrointestinal motility, histopathological structure, mucin secretion, gastrointestinal hormones, muscarinic cholinergic regulation, and fecal microbiota in SD rats with loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation subjected to Pt treatment. Stool-related parameters (including stool number, weight, and water contents), gastrointestinal motility, and length of intestine were significantly enhanced in the Lop+Pt-treated group as compared to the Lop+Vehicle-treated group. A similar recovery was detected in the histopathological and cytological structure of the mid-colon of Lop+Pt-treated rats, although the level of mucin secretion remained constant. Moreover, rats with Lop-induced constipation subjected to Pt treatment showed significant improvements in water channel expression, gastrointestinal hormone secretions, and expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M2/M3 (mAChRs M2/M3) and their mediators of muscarinic cholinergic regulation. Furthermore, the Lop+Pt-treated group showed a significant recovery of Bifidobacteriaceae, Muribaculaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Eubacteriaceae families in fecal microbiota. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that exposure of SD rats with Lop-induced constipation to Pt improves the constipation phenotype through the regulation of membrane water channel expression, GI hormones, the mAChR signaling pathway, and fecal microbiota.

Laxative Effects of a Standardized Extract of Dendropanax morbiferus H. Léveille Leaves on Experimental Constipation in Rats

Background and Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the laxative effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Dendropanax morbiferus H. Lév. on two different constipation rat models. Materials and Methods: Animal studies were conducted with low-fiber diet-induced and loperamide-induced constipation animal models, and isolated colons were used in ex vivo analysis to determine the changes in colonic motility caused by D. morbiferus H. Lév. leaf extract (DPL). Results: The results showed that DPL administration significantly improved certain reduced fecal parameters (number, weight, and water content of the stools) in a both low-fiber diet and loperamide-induced constipation models without adverse effects of diarrhea. The laxative effect of DPL was confirmed to improve the charcoal excretion time upon DPL treatment in a low-fiber diet or loperamide-induced constipation model through gastrointestinal (GI) motility evaluation using the charcoal meal test. In addition, when DPL was administered to RAW264.7 cells and loperamide-induced constipation model rats, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased significantly in cells and tissue. Furthermore, DPL dose-dependently stimulated the spontaneous contractile amplitude and frequency of the isolated rat colon. Conclusion: Although our study did not provide information on the acute or chronic toxicity of DPL, our results demonstrated that DPL can effectively promote defecation frequency and rat colon contraction, providing scientific evidence to support the use of DPL as a therapeutic application. However, further toxicity studies of DPL are needed prior to the initiation of clinical trials and clinical applications.

Friends or Foes? Cytotoxicity, HPTLC and NMR Analyses of Some Important Naturally Occurring Hydroxyanthraquinones

Hydroxyanthraquinones from plants have been used as both medicinal active ingredients and adulterants in slimming food supplements. Although sensible doses of certain natural hydroxyanthraquinones for laxative effects are generally safe in the short term, chronic intake has been related to tumorigenic, carcinogenic, and genotoxic effects. However, an increasing number of researchers are reporting the antiproliferative properties of the same ingredients in cancer cells, pointing towards a potential nutraceutical value for cancer prevention. Previous studies have evaluated anthraquinones’ anti-proliferative activity against various tumour cell lines and bioavailability in Caco-2 cells. However, there are scarce data about both their cytotoxicity in the later cell line and long-term stability. Therefore, this study will check the purity of several ‘aged’ samples using mutually complementary analytical techniques such as HPTLC and NMR assays as well as evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of the purest of these samples using the Caco-2 cell line. The chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the long-term stability of those compounds, and their cytotoxic activity resulted in chrysazin (15 µg/mL) > catenarin (27.29 µg/mL) > rhein (49.55 µg/mL) > helminthosporin (52.91 µg/mL) > aloe-emodin (55.34 µg/mL). Our succinct review of the cytotoxicity of these compounds afforded two results: that this is the first clear report for catenarin being active in colon cancer cells and that this class of compounds needs to be better studied to clearly evaluate their benefit/risk profile in regard to both new chemo preventative nutraceuticals and anticancer therapies.

Laxative activity of Ethanolic extract of Capparis moonii W. fruit.

The growing value as potential preventive interventions of biologically active medicinal plants and their constituents has been a topic of intense research. Plant and plant derivatives have long been a source of medication in human culture. According to world health organizations, 80% of the population of developing countries relies for their primary health treatment on conventional medicines. In the future, safe and effective drugs are likely to be manufactured from medicinal plants to heal multiple degenerative diseases. Constipation has been identified as one of the daily health issues which has recently been increased due to increased intake of processed foods or foods deficient in natural dietary fibres. The present research was carried out to evaluate the laxative effects of ethanolic extract of Capparis moonii wight fruit was safe for administration in mice at the highest dose (2000mg/kg) tested. The Capparis moonii wight’s laxative activity was studied in mice. The result showed that an oral administration of Capparis moonii wight fruit extract produced a significant and dose-dependent increase in stool count in mice, as well as a dosedependent effect through distance traveled by charcoal meal. These effects were comparable with dulcoflex (bisacodyl) (standard drug) at dose of 5mg/kg. From the result it can be concluded that oral administration of Capparis moonii wight ethanolic extract indicates significant laxative activity in mice It can be reported that flavonoid, saponin, glycoside present in the extract may be responsible for an laxative effect and Thus the plant extract can explain the usefulness of Capparis moonii in constipation.

Antioxidant activity and laxative effects of tannin-enriched extract of Ecklonia cava in loperamide-induced constipation of SD rats

To investigate the role of tannin-enriched extracts of Ecklonia cava (TEE) on the regulation of oxidative balance and laxative activity in chronic constipation, we investigated alterations after exposure to TEE, on constipation phenotypes, muscarinic cholinergic regulation, and oxidative stress responses in the transverse colons of SD rats with loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation. This extract contains high levels of total condensed tannin content (326.5 mg/g), and exhibited high inhibitory activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. TEE treatment induced significant improvements in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation in primary smooth muscles of rat intestine cells (pRISMCs) and transverse colon of constipation model. Also, Lop+TEE treated groups showed alleviated outcomes for the following: most stool parameters, gastrointestinal transit, and intestine length were remarkably recovered; a similar recovery pattern was observed in the histopathological structure, mucin secretion, water channel expression and gastrointestinal hormones secretion in the transverse colon; expressions of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M2/M3 (mAChR M2/M3) and their mediators on muscarinic cholinergic regulation were significantly recovered. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that TEE stimulates oxidative stress modulation and muscarinic cholinergic regulation when exerting its laxative effects in chronic constipation models.

Comparative study of the laxative effects of konjac oligosaccharides and konjac glucomannan on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

Dietary fiber is the basic therapeutic method to relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. The aim of this study was to compare the laxative effect of Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) and...

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON FICUS CARICA L. - AN UNEXPLORED MEDICINAL PLANT

Fig is one of the earliest cultivated fruit in human history and an important crop worldwide which can be consumed in both fresh and dry form. The genus Ficus belongs to the Moraceae family and there are thousands of species in the genus Ficus. They are mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Figs are extremely nutritious and contain a large amount of minerals, vitamins, dietary fibre, carbohydrates, amino acids and other phytochemicals. F.carica was used as a cure-all in systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Studies revealed that F.carica has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-mutagenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antiplatelet, antipyretic, immunological, dermatological, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, nootropic, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, nephroprotective and laxative effects. Fruit juice of F. carica mixed with honey is used to treat haemorrhage.Thus the review attempts to shed light on all the available literature on the Ficus carica L. with reference to its traditional uses, chemical and phytoconstituents,physicochemical properties, and summing up of its various nutritional and therapeutic benefits.

The water-eluting component of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. laxative effects on loperamide-induced constipation rats

Background Slow transit functional constipation (STC) is the most common type of chronic constipation,with seriously affecting people's survival and quality of life in the recent years. Based on the safety and small side effects of traditional Chinese medicine, it is urgent to research and develop new medicine for the treatment of constipation. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. has been reported treat constipation in a long time, and carbohydrate is its active ingredient. Methods ELISA used for detection of serum gastrointestinal hormones and neurotransmitters levels. HE stain was analyzed to evaluate the colon injury. Western blot and RT-PCR detected interstitial cells of Cajal markers (SCF/c-Kit) and aquaporins (AQPs). Results The mainly compositions of oligosaccharide and amino acid from AABW was determined by HPLC. Based on the laxative activities of AABW in the study, AABW obviously enhanced the contents of VIP, Gas, MTL, SP and 5-HT and decreased the levels of NO from loperamide-induced rats by Elisa kits. Additionally, AABW could up-regulate the expressions of SCF, c-Kit, AQP3, VIP and down-regulate AQP8 to repair the damage of colon. Conclusion These findings suggested that AABW, which could treat constipation through mediating intestinal motility and water metabolism, were laxative active constituents from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge..