The effect of kiwi berry ( Actinidia arguta) on preventing and alleviating loperamide-induced constipation

Abstract

This research aimed to study the preventive and relieving outcomes of kiwi berry on constipation. The administration of kiwi berries to mice resulted in a significant increase in body weight gain of 148.2% compared to mice that were constipated. The number of stools and the water content of stools both increased by 138.5% and 106.5%, respectively. The gastrointestinal transit rate increased by 45.3%, and the time it took for the first dark stool to form decreased by 57.5%. The levels of the excitability neurotransmitters were found to be higher in the group that had been given kiwi berries in comparison to the group that had been given loperamide. The opposite results were produced by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). In addition, kiwi berry consumption may lessen epithelial cell apoptosis and promote colon health. All the results point to kiwi berries as an extremely promising food supplement for the prevention and relief of constipation in the future since they successfully prevent and alleviate constipation brought on by loperamide.

Keywords

Kiwi berry / Constipation / Gastrointestinal transit / AQP3 / VIP / Neurotransmitter