Effect of honey-aloe paste on alleviating loperamide-induced constipation, in relation to regulation on gastrointestinal function and intestinal microenvironment.

Food combinations featuring specific functional components represent one of the effective intervention strategies for alleviating functional gastrointestinal disorders induced by dietary and environmental factors. Honey and aloe vera have both been recognized as natural agents with laxative effects, yet the synergistic effects of their combination in alleviating constipation and the underlying regulatory mechanism remain to be elucidated. This study formulated a honey-aloe paste by employing honey as the primary ingredient compounded with aloe vera gel and investigated its preventive effects on loperamide-induced slow-transit constipation through a comprehensive analysis of gastrointestinal function and intestinal microenvironment. The investigation on fecal properties, gastrointestinal motility, and histological examination, supported by analysis of gastrointestinal neurotransmitters and constipation-associated signaling pathways (including SCF/C-kit signaling pathway and VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway), suggested that dietary interventions (honey, aloe vera, and honey-aloe paste) may ameliorate constipation by the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the proliferation of specific intestinal strains. Moreover, the honey-aloe paste exhibited the most pronounced effect against constipation via the generation of beneficial metabolites (especially butyrate) and proliferation of specific intestinal strains, including Clostridium, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Blautia. Collectively, we demonstrate the feasibility of honey-aloe paste in alleviating constipation and provide potential targets for constipation treatment, including microbiota manipulation and SCFAs administration.