Laxative Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Amomum kravanh on Functional Constipation in Mice
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Abstract:
To explore the laxative effects of aqueous extracts of Amomum kravanh (AKAE) and the associated mechanism on mice with constipation, constipation models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide. A control group, a model group, and three treatment groups (300, 600, and 900 mg/kg) were established. Defecation tests and small intestinal motility tests were carried out, and the effects of AKAE on the regulatory genes associated with intestinal water secretion, gastrointestinal motility, neurotransmitters, colonic inflammation, and intestinal barrier were analyzed using fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that regardless of the dose, AKAE relieved constipation in mice. In particular, a more significant improvement was observed in the high-dose group [900 mg/(kg•d)] than in the other groups. AKAE at 900 mg/kg/d significantly shortened the time to the first defecation (black stool) in mice with constipation to 211.54 min (P<0.01). Additionally, the gastrointestinal transit rate increased to 63.95% (P<0.01), and the stool water content was increased to 58.23%. The number of fecal pellets increased to 21.09 grains. Furthermore, AKAE significantly upregulated the mRNA expression levels of mouse colonic motility factors, including c-Kit, SCF, MLCK, smMLCK, and 5-HT neurotransmitter receptor 5-Htr4 (P<0.05). AKAE significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of AchE, iNOS, and VIP (P<0.01). AKAE inhibited the loperamide-induced mRNA upregulation of the colonic inflammatory factors MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 and reversed the downregulation of the mRNA expression of the intestinal barrier factors Muc-2, ZO-1, and occludin. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for the application of AKAE and for future studies of the laxative mechanism of A. kravanh.
