Traditional Chinese medicine has long regarded flaxseed as a natural remedy for constipation. However, the efficacy or mechanism of flaxseed plant milk (FPM), a functional beverage derived from flaxseed, in alleviating constipation has not yet been clearly established. In this study, network pharmacology was combined with in vivo experiments to evaluate the anti-constipation activity of FPM on water restriction-induced constipation mouse model. Compared with the model group, administration of FPM (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) significantly shortened the time to first black stool excretion, increased number of fecal pellets and water content of fecal pellets, and improved Small Intestinal Transit Rate (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that FPM (200 mg/kg) preserved colonic epithelial integrity, reduced lamina propria damage, and restored goblet cell populations. Serum biochemical assays showed that FPM decreased vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels and increased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentrations. Network pharmacology identified 214 overlapping targets between flaxseed bioactive compounds and constipation-related genes, with key hub targets including TP53, CASP3, TNF, and IL6. KEGG pathway enrichment suggested that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may serve as a central regulatory axis. Western blot further confirmed that p-PI3K and p-AKT protein levels in the colon were reduced in constipated mice, whereas FPM administration markedly restored their expression, indicating activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Overall, these findings demonstrate that FPM alleviates constipation by improving stool characteristics, enhancing intestinal motility, and maintaining mucosal integrity, potentially via modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. This study provides new insights into the gastrointestinal benefits of flaxseed-derived functional foods and supports their development as dietary supplements for intestinal health.
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