Ayari Ala, Dakhli Nouha, Jedidi Saber, Sammari Houcem, Arrari Fatma, Sebai Hichem
Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bio-Resources, University of Jendouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, Béja, Tunisia.
Sylvo-Pastoral Institute of Tabarka, Laboratory of Sylvo-Pastoral Resources, University of Jendouba, Tabarka, Tunisia.
Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2025 Jan;37(1):e14935. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14935. Epub 2024 Oct 6.
Chronic constipation is a gastrointestinal functional disorder which affects patient quality of life. Therefore, many studies were oriented to search herbal laxative agents. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical composition of beetroot juice (BJ) and its laxative potential in an experimental model of constipation and colonic dysmotility induced by loperamide (LOP) in Wistar rats.
Animals were concurrently pretreated with LOP (3 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.) and BJ (5 and 10 mL/kg, b.w., p.o.), or yohimbine (2 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.), during 1 week. The laxative activity was determined based on the weight, frequency, and water content of the feces matter. The gastric-emptying test and intestinal transit were determined. Colon histology was examined, and oxidative status was evaluated using biochemical-colorimetric methods.
The in vivo study revealed that LOP induced a significant inhibition of gastrointestinal motility, negative consequences on defecation parameters, oxidative stress, and colonic mucosa lesions. Conversely, administration of BJ reestablished these parameters and restored colonic oxidative balance. Importantly, BJ treatment protected against LOP-induced inflammatory markers (pro-inflammatory cytokines and WBC) and the increase in intracellular mediators such as hydrogen peroxide, free iron, and calcium levels.
CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: This study demonstrated that the bioactive compounds in BJ provided an anti-constipation effect by modulating intestinal motility and regulating oxidative stress and inflammation induced by LOP intoxication.
慢性便秘是一种影响患者生活质量的胃肠功能紊乱疾病。因此，许多研究致力于寻找草药泻药。在本研究中，我们在洛哌丁胺（LOP）诱导的Wistar大鼠便秘和结肠动力障碍实验模型中，研究了甜菜根汁（BJ）的植物化学成分及其通便潜力。
动物在1周内同时接受洛哌丁胺（3mg/kg，体重，腹腔注射）和BJ（5和10mL/kg，体重，口服）或育亨宾（2mg/kg，体重，腹腔注射）预处理。根据粪便的重量、频率和含水量测定通便活性。测定胃排空试验和肠道转运。检查结肠组织学，并使用生化比色法评估氧化状态。
体内研究表明，洛哌丁胺显著抑制胃肠动力，对排便参数、氧化应激和结肠黏膜损伤产生负面影响。相反，给予BJ可恢复这些参数并恢复结肠氧化平衡。重要的是，BJ治疗可防止洛哌丁胺诱导的炎症标志物（促炎细胞因子和白细胞）以及细胞内介质如过氧化氢、游离铁和钙水平的升高。
本研究表明，BJ中的生物活性化合物通过调节肠道动力以及调节洛哌丁胺中毒诱导的氧化应激和炎症发挥抗便秘作用。
