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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 12 - 2025 |
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1498004
This article is part of the Research Topic Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment View all 5 articles
Multi-omics revealed that the postbiotic of hawthornprobiotic alleviated constipation caused by loperamide in elderly mice
Provisionally accepted- 1 Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- 2 First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- 3 College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- 4 Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
Background: Constipation is a prevalent and recurrent gastrointestinal disorder causing significant discomfort. However, current treatments often prove ineffective. Previous research indicates that the postbiotic derived from a combination of hawthorn and probiotics can alleviate constipation. This study aimed to investigate its mechanisms using loperamide-induced constipation in aged KM mice. Methods: Constipated mice were divided into groups receiving 10% lactulose (Y), hawthorn extract (S), probiotics (F), and the postbiotic of hawthorn-probiotic (FS). UPLC-MS metabolomics identified constituents of F, S, and FS. Network pharmacological analysis identified targets affected by FS. RT-qPCR assessed target expression in mouse colons, along with IL-6 and IL-17A levels. Molecular docking with AutoDock Tools1.5.6 evaluated interactions between FS components and targets. ex vivo colonic organ culture and RT-qPCR assessed target changes. Molecular dynamics analysis further scrutinized interactions. Targeted metabolomics measured short-chain fatty acid levels in mouse stool. Results: UPLC-MS metabolomics revealed distinct profiles for F, S, and FS, with FS showing decreased toxic substances and increased beneficial ones compared to S. Network pharmacology identified 20 cross-targets of FS in constipation. RT-qPCR showed decreased NR1I2 and SULT1A1 and increased GLP-2r in FS-treated mice. Inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-17A were also reduced. ex vivo colonic organ culture and molecular docking identified effective combinations such as TNF-Baicalin and AQP3-Quinacridone. RMSD, RMSF, and RG analyses indicated favorable interactions between small molecules and targets. Targeted metabolomics revealed differing short-chain fatty acid contents in feces among groups. Conclusions: The postbiotic of hawthorn-probiotic alleviates constipation by regulating intestinal water and sodium metabolism, maintaining the intestinal barrier and gut flora, promoting epithelial cell proliferation, reducing inflammatory responses, and improving short-chain fatty acid metabolism.Name Source Cat. Number Methanol, LC-MS Grade CNW CAEQ-4-000306-4000 Acetonitrile, LC-MS Grade CNW CAEQ-4-000308-4000 Acetice Acid, LC-MS Grade CNW CAEQ-4-000319-0050 Ammonium Acetate, LC-MS Grade CNW CAEQ-4-000314-0050 Krebs-Ringer Buffer Solarbio G0430-500ml 2.1.4 Critical Commercial Assays Name Source Cat. Number
Keywords: Postbiotic, Hawthorn, probiotic, Constipation, Inflammation, intestinal microenvironment
Received: 18 Sep 2024; Accepted: 05 Feb 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wei, Chen, Ling, Wang and Huang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Wei Wang, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Yali Huang, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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