Scientific research of laxative action of Cannabis Fructus based on intestinal environment adjustment / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of the water extract of Cannabis Fructus on intestinal flora structure, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels, and pathological changes of colonic inflammation, and explore its scientific connotation of laxative action. Methods: A total of 48 Wistar rats (SPF grade), sex in half, were randomly divided into control group, model group, Cannabis Fructus water extract group, and positive control group. The rats of model group were caused constipation and enteric flora disturbance by diphenoxylate. The bacterial counts in the fresh stool were tested by plate count method 28 days after administration, and the changes of intestinal flora structure in cecum was detected by PCR-DGGE method, the contents of SCFAs in cecum were determinated by GC method, and the coton pathological score of the rats were studied by HE staining method. Results: Compared with the blank group, the number of Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium was increased but Bacillus acidi lactici was decreased significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01) in fresh stool of the model group. The ratio of Firmicutes bacteria to Bacteroides bacteria was increased, the number of Butyricicoccus and Cillobacterium was decreased, the concentration of acetic acid and butyric acid was increased significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01), and the pathology score of colon was increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, Cannabis Fructus water extract can adjust the ratio of Firmicutes bacteria to Bacteroides bacteria, increase the number of Cillobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Blautia, and Oscillibacter in cecum, decrease the number of Clostridium IV, etc., decrease the concentration of acetic acid and butyric acid (P < 0.05), reduce the pathology score, and improve the damage of intestinal structure (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Cannabis Fructus water extract can alleviate constipation and accelerate the recovery of colitis injury in model rats. The functional route of Cannabis Fructus water extract may relate to the disorder of intestinal flora balance adjustment and effect of the concentration of SCFAs so as to change the acidic environment in the intestinal tract.