Effects of dietary fiber isolated from Synurus deltoides on constipation in loperamide-induced rats

The effects of dietary fiber isolated from Synurus deltoides on constipation induced by loperamide (4 mg/kg/ day) were investigated. Food intake and body weight both decreased in the 5% S. deltoides dietary fiber and loperamide-treated group (SD5) and 10% S. deltoides dietary fiber and loperamide-treated group (SD10), whereas fecal water contents increased by 2.4 and 3.4-fold in the SD5 and SD10 groups, respectively. The concentrations of total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in the sera of the SD5 and SD10 groups were lower than those in the control (C) group. However, the biochemical parameters, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), and glucose levels, were not affected by the level of S. deltoides. In addition, the concentrations of total-cholesterol and triglyceride in the livers of the SD5 and SD10 groups were also significantly lower than those in the control group. These results suggest that dietary fiber isolated from S. deltoides might ameliorate constipation symptoms, and lower lipid concentrations in the blood and liver.