Background : Irregular meals and insufficient exercise are major modern lifestyle-related risk factors for constipation. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aqueous extract of Dendrobium speciosum var. (DM) on the improvement of intestinal function and prevention of constipation in rats. Methods and Results : Constipation in rat was induced by loperamide (4 ㎎/㎏) injection for 5 days and rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: normal control rats (NOR), constipated rats (LOP induced) and constipated rats supplemented with dulcolax-S (POS), DMSG, 100 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-100), 300 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-300) and 500 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-500). The DMSG groups showed increments in the frequency and amount of stools compared to the LOP group. Loperamide treatment markedly reduced the water content of feces, whereas DMSG administration significantly increased fecal water contents. Moreover, DMSG improved intestinal transit speed in constipated-rats. Alcian blue staining revealed increased mucus production by crypt cells and mucus contents in feces and the mucosal surface. Conclusions : In summary, DM extraction significantly improves intestinal function in rats, which indicates the effectiveness of this extract in the prevention and treatment of constipation.

• 장지훈(한약진흥재단) | Ji Hun Jang
• 정호경(한약진흥재단) | Ho Kyung Jung
• 심미옥(한약진흥재단) | Mi Ok Sim
• 안병관(한약진흥재단) | Byeong Kwan An
• 김민석(한약진흥재단) | Min Suk Kim
• 강병만(한약진흥재단) | Byoung Man Kang
• 조정희(한약진흥재단) | Jung Hee Cho
• 빈철구(경상남도농업기술원) | Chul Gu Bean
• 김성철(국립원예특작과학원 남해출장소) | Seong Cheol Kim
• 정원석(한약진흥재단) | Won Seok Jung Corresponding author