Semen Pruni oil attenuates loperamide-induced constipation in mice by regulating neurotransmitters, oxidative stress and inflammatory response

Abstract

Semen Pruni has been popularly consumed as medicinal herbs and dietary supplements for treatment of constipation disorders. Oil is enriched in Semen Pruni, while its effects on constipation are unclear. In this study, Semen Pruni oil was extracted from Semen Pruni by heat reflux (HFO) and Soxhlet extraction (SFO). GC–MS assay showed that HFO and SFO possessed similar kinds of compounds, while the relative contents were different. Then, loperamide-induced constipated mice pretreated with or without SFO were established. SFO treatment significantly increased fecal number, fecal water content and gastrointestinal transit rate of loperamide-mediated mice. Abnormities in morphology of colon tissues, and NO, SOD and CAT contents in serum were markedly reversed by SFO administration. Furthermore, SFO intervention potently reduced TNF-α and IL-1β expression and ERK, JNK, P38 and P65 phosphorylation in colon tissues of mice. In conclusion, SFO treatment alleviated loperamide-induced constipation via regulating neurotransmitters, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Keywords

• Semen Pruni
• Constipation
• Oil
• Inflammation