Laxative and antioxidant effects of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) leaf extract in experimental constipated rats

Abstract

Ramie leaf ( Boehmeria nivea L.) is rich in cellulose, polyphenol compounds, vitamin C, and minerals. The leaves of this plant, which are used for medicinal purposes, have long been reported to have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, anticolitis, and antidiabetic effects. We investigated the protective effects of ramie leaf ethanol extract (RLE) against loperamide‐induced constipation and oxidative stress in rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight of RLE (RLEL and RLEH groups) by gavage, while normal (NOR) and control (CON) rats received saline. Loperamide (4.0 mg/kg, twice per day) was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation in RLEL, RLEH, and CON groups. Total fecal number, wet weight, and water content decreased, while the total number of loperamide‐induced fecal pellets in the distal colon increased with administration of RLE in a dose‐dependent manner. Gastrointestinal transit time was more greatly reduced in RLE‐treated groups than in the CON group. Serum total cholesterol (TC) level, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, was significantly lower in both RLEL and RLEH groups compared with the CON group. Intestinal mucosa malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production decreased significantly in a dose‐dependent manner in the RLE‐treated groups. Loperamide decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity, including that of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), while RLE administration increased the antioxidant activity. These results suggest that RLE exerts potent laxative and antioxidant effects in model rats with loperamide‐induced constipation.

The potential of Quercetin to protect against loperamide‐induced constipation in rats

“…The loperamide‐induced constipation rat model was established according to previous study (Lee et al., 2012; Lee et al. ; 2020; Li et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2020). The rats of LOP group and three QCT groups were subcutaneously injected with loperamide (3 mg/kg∙body weight, dissolved in saline) twice a day for 3 days, and the rats of Ctrl group were injected with the same volume of saline.…”

Effect of Dietary Ramie Powder (Boehmeria nivea) at Various Levels on Growth Performance, Carcass and Meat Qualities, Biochemical Indices, and Antioxidative Capacity of Linwu Ducks

“…Previous data showed that ramie leaf contained polyphenols and flavonoids which were considered excellent antioxidant ( Lee et al, 2014 ). They could effectively activate the antioxidant enzymes in intestinal mucosa ( Lee et al, 2020 ) and muscle tissue ( Li et al, 2019 ). In the current study, 6 and 12% ramie supplementation in diets increased the serum activity of SOD and content of GSH compared to the control group.…”

Effects of probiotics on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

“…The gastrointestinal transit time of the feed consumed by the rats was measured using a method described previously 58 . The animals were housed in the fasted state for 12 h after day 6.…”