Efficacy and mechanisms of an Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound for constipation relief
10.16438/j.0513-4870.2023-1337
- VernacularTitle:当归肉苁蓉纤维复方的润肠通便药效及机制探索
- Author:
Yang LIU
1
;
Ya-li SHI
2
;
Yan-ping WU
1
;
Xiang LUO
1
;
Lei LIANG
1
;
Rong-rong HE
2
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Joint Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Internationalization, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
2. College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China; Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Joint Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Internationalization, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Publication Type:Research Article
- Keywords:
constipation;
intestinal lubrication and constipation relief;
functional food;
colon;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica
2024;59(5):1238-1244
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Constipation is a prevalent ailment which might significantly impact the quality of people's life and rise some associated deseases risks. In this study, a chronic constipation mouse model was established using loperamide hydrochloride. Mice were gavaged an Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound, comprised of Dang Gui [Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels], Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma), wheat fiber, and low-molecular-weight xylan at high dosage (3.6 g·kg-1, 30 times the recommended human dose) and low dosage (0.6 g·kg-1, 5 times the recommended human dose) for 14 days. The study assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the compound by observing fecal morphology, measuring water content, and conducting small intestine motility experiments. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were conducted to evaluate the serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones including motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Histopathological examination with H&E staining was employed to evaluate colonic tissue damage. Additionally, Western blot and immunohistochemistry experiments were conducted to examine the expression levels of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and c-Kit in the colon. The results indicated that the Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound could improve fecal morphology, increase fecal water content, enhance small intestinal transit rates in mice. Additionally, there was a significant elevation in the serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones and a notable reduction in the levels of inflammatory factors. The improvement in colonic histopathological damage was accompanied by a marked decrease in the expression of the colonic water channel protein AQP3 and a significant increase in c-Kit expression. These results collectively suggested the presence of a dose-response relationship. These findings indicate that the Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound effectively alleviates constipation in mice. Its action is associated with the regulation of colonic water channel protein AQP3 and c-Kit expression, along with the modulation of serum inflammatory factors and gastrointestinal hormones. This experiment was approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Jinan University.
