Studies on Preventive Effects of Malvae verticilate and Perilla frutescens var. Japonica Leaf on Activated Carbon Induced Constipation in ICR Mice

Constipation is a common problem that is defined as persistent, difficult, infrequent, or apparently incomplete defecation. It includes the passage of excessively dry and hard faeces, sluggish bowel action, and other symptoms.The current study looked at the effectiveness of a Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf extract against activated carbon-induced constipation in ICR mice. Constipation was induced in mice by administering active carbon (10% activated carbon dissolved in 0.5% arabic gum water), whereas control mice received only 0.5% arabic gum water. Constipated mice were given 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg body weight/day of Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf extract for 9 days, during which all feeding characteristics such as body weight, dietary and drinking water amount intake, as well as faecal properties, first black stool time, gastrointestinal transit, and levels of serum biomarkers such as gastrin, motilin, somatostatin, were monitored. Treatment of constipated mice inhibited body weight loss, dietary intake loss, increased intestinal motility speed, faecal volume, and also shortens the first black stool time, accelerated serum levels of gastrin, motilin, substance P, and decreased serum levels of somatostain, which inhibited Growth Hormone (GH). The anti-constipation property of the herb extract at the intake level of 1.0 g/kg body weight shows the greatest efficacy. The extract's effect is comparable to that of biscodyl, a common laxative. These findings indicate that the leaf of Perilla frutescens var. japonica can be used as a natural preventive method of constipation medicine.