Constipation-relieving effect of L-arabinose

Purpose: To investigate the mitigating effect of L-arabinose on constipation in a mouse model of experimental constipation. Methods: Kunming mice were used as experimental animals to establish a constipation model. Intestinal propulsion, first defecation time, number of defecation pellets, and the weight of defecation pellets in 5 h were measured. L-Arabinose was given at 3 dose levels, viz, low dose (0.5 g/kg/day), medium dose (0.75 g/kg/day), and high dose (2.5 g/kg/day), and their effects on constipation were compared with that of the model control group. Results: Compared with the model control group, there were significant differences in ink propulsion (F = 22.67, p < 0.05); time taken for first black stool to appear (F = 19.51, p < 0.05), number of fecal pellets (F = 12.22, p < 0.05), and fecal weight (F = 5, p < 0.05) in the L-arabinose groups. Conclusion: L-Arabinose relieves constipation symptoms in an experimental mouse model of constipation. Therefore, L-arabinose may be useful in the management of patients with constipation, but further studies in humans are required to ascertain this.