Promotion of intestinal peristalsis by Bifidobacterium spp. capable of hydrolysing sennosides in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While there are a variety of identifiable causes of constipation, even idiopathic constipation has different possible mechanisms. Sennosides, the main laxative constituents of Daio, an ancient Kampo medicine, are prodrugs that are converted to an active principle, rheinanthrone, by intestinal microbiota. In this study, we aimed to determine the sennoside hydrolysis ability of lactic acid bacterial strains and bifidobacteria in the intestine and to investigate their effect on intestinal peristalsis in mice.

Methodology/principal findings

A total of 88 lactic acid bacterial strains and 47 bifidobacterial strains were evaluated for their ability to hydrolyze sennosides. Our results revealed that 4 strains, all belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, had strong sennos

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284505 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature