Results
PCP treatment normalized defecation indicators in loperamide-induced constipated mice.
- PCP significantly increased fecal water content.
- PCP accelerated small-intestinal transit.
- The model was loperamide-induced constipation in mice.
Gut Microbiome
Polygonatum cyrtonema Polysaccharide Ameliorates Functional Constipation in Mice via the Gut Microbiota-Pentadecanoic Acid-GPR40 Axis.
TL;DR
Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (PCP), an inulin neoseries-type fructan, alleviated loperamide-induced constipation in mice through the gut microbiota, with enrichment of Lachnospiraceae driving accumulation of pentadecanoic acid (PDA), which enhanced colonic motility likely by activating GPR40.
Key Findings
Results
The anti-constipation effect of PCP depends on the gut microbiota, as shown by fecal microbiota transplantation.
- FMT confirmed that the anti-constipation efficacy of PCP was driven by the gut microbiota.
Results
PCP remodeled the gut microbiota, notably enriching Lachnospiraceae.
- Analysis combined 16S rRNA sequencing with metabolomic profiling.
- Lachnospiraceae enrichment was associated with accumulation of pentadecanoic acid (PDA).
Results
PCP-driven microbial remodeling led to accumulation of the metabolite pentadecanoic acid (PDA).
- Integrated 16S rRNA and metabolomic profiling linked Lachnospiraceae enrichment to increased PDA.
- PDA was identified as a key microbial metabolite mediating the effect.
Results
PDA enhanced colonic motility, likely by activating the GPR40 receptor.
- The authors describe GPR40 activation as the likely mechanism, so the receptor link is presented as probable rather than definitively established.
Conclusions
The study proposes a 'PCP-microbiota-PDA-GPR40' axis as a novel pathway for alleviating functional constipation.
- PCP is characterized as an inulin neoseries-type fructan.
- The authors suggest PCP is a promising prebiotic candidate or functional food ingredient.
What This Means
This study in mice tested whether a plant-derived fiber-like carbohydrate from Polygonatum cyrtonema (a medicinal and food herb) could relieve constipation. In mice made constipated with the drug loperamide, the polysaccharide (PCP) increased the water content of stool and sped up movement of food through the small intestine. The researchers found that the benefit worked through gut bacteria. Transferring gut microbes from treated animals (fecal microbiota transplantation) reproduced the anti-constipation effect. PCP shifted the microbial community and increased a bacterial family called Lachnospiraceae, which was linked to higher levels of a fatty acid, pentadecanoic acid. This compound appeared to boost gut movement, probably by activating a receptor called GPR40. This research suggests PCP could be developed as a prebiotic or functional food ingredient for constipation, possibly as an alternative to drugs that carry a risk of dependency. However, the work was done in mice, and the receptor mechanism is described as likely rather than proven, so human studies would be needed to know whether the same effects occur in people.
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Related Research
Citation
Liu X, Zhang Z, Fang Y, Yuan B, Lian H, Yin W, et al.. (2026). Polygonatum cyrtonema Polysaccharide Ameliorates Functional Constipation in Mice via the Gut Microbiota-Pentadecanoic Acid-GPR40 Axis.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c06937