Comparison of laxative effects of fermented soybeans (Cheonggukjang) containing toxins and biogenic amines against loperamide-induced constipation mouse model

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented soybean paste with significant health-promoting effects. On the other hand, there have been insufficient studies on the safety and efficacy of Cheonggukjang , which is produced using traditional methods containing toxins and biogenic amines (BAs). This study compared the laxative effect of Cheonggukjang , containing high or low levels of toxins and BAs (HTBC or LTBC) in a loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS To induce constipation, Lop (5 mg/kg) was administered orally to ICR mice twice a day for 4 days, and the dose was increased to 8 mg/kg after a 3-day rest period. Cheonggukjang (500 mg/kg, HTBC, or LTBC respectively) was administered for four weeks before the Lop treatment. RESULTS The number of stools, fecal weight, water contents, gastrointestinal transit, and histological alterations were recovered significantly in the HTBC or LTBC groups. HTBC and LTBC administration did not induce significant changes in body weight, dietary intake, and behavior. The opioid-receptor downstream signaling pathway in colon tissues was also evaluated. The c-Kit, stem cell kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38, were all downregulated in the HTBC or LTBC-administered mice colon compared to the Lop group. CONCLUSION These results show that Cheonggukjang , containing high levels of toxins and BAs, have a similar laxative effect in a mouse model of Lop-induced constipation.

Comparison of the laxative effects of KoreanGochujangcontaining different microbiota on loperamide-induced constipation in ICR mice

“…32 An earlier study found that Cheonggukjang , another traditional Korean soybean fermented food, elicits anti-constipation effects by downregulating MAPK signaling pathways in LOP-induced constipation mice. 46 Consistently, the present study found that BMG and VMG suppressed MAPK signaling pathways in LOP-induced constipation mice. Isoflavones, such as daidzein, have anti-inflammation effects through MAPK signaling pathway modulation, 47 and the main ingredient in Gochujang is soybean.…”

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Korean Soybean Sauce (Ganjang) on Mice with Induced Colitis

“…The content of biogenic amines and aflatoxins in the GJ samples was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (Agilent 1200 series) as described previously [ 14 ].…”

Momordica charantia extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction inhibit the inflammatory pathways

“…The murine macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA) and cultured as previously described (Kim et al 2022). In brief, the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and penicillin/streptomycin (100 U/mL) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) at 37 °C under a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO 2 .…”

“…Whole-cell lysates of the cultured cells were obtained and separated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and Western blot analysis was performed as described previously (Kim et al 2022). The primary and secondary antibodies used in Western blot analyses were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology Inc. (Beverly, MA, USA).…”