Effect of laxative polyherbal paste for loperamide induced constipation in rats

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology
• Natural Product Research

Background:

• Loperamide-induced constipation is a common side effect requiring effective treatment.
• Polyherbal formulations offer potential therapeutic benefits due to synergistic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a polyherbal paste (PHP) containing Rosadamascena, Terminalia chebula, and Trachyspermumammi in honey against loperamide-induced constipation in a rat model.
• To assess the impact of PHP on various physiological and histological parameters related to constipation.

Main Methods:

• Thirty male rats were divided into six groups, including control, loperamide-induced constipation model, and PHP treatment groups at varying doses (20, 40, 60 mg/kg).
• Key parameters assessed included food and water consumption, body weight, fecal characteristics, gastrointestinal transit rate, and histological changes.
• Serum biomarkers and protein expression levels of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and C-kit were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• The 60 mg/kg PHP dose significantly increased fecal water content (16.89%), fecal amount (12.14%), and gastrointestinal transit rate (23.67%), while reducing time to black stool.
• PHP at 40 mg/kg modulated gastrointestinal hormone levels, increasing motilin, gastrin, and substance P, and decreasing somatostatin.
• At 60 mg/kg, PHP reduced colonic damage, decreased AQP3 protein expression (33.39%), and increased c-kit protein expression (12.14%).

Conclusions:

• The polyherbal paste (PHP) exhibits promising therapeutic effects for constipation induced by loperamide in rats.
• PHP's mechanism may involve enhancing gut motility, improving water absorption, and modulating protein expression related to gastrointestinal function.