Laxative Properties of Bacterial Cellulose Isolated from Gluconacetobacter xylinum sju-1 against Loperamide Induced Constipated Sprague-Dawley Rats

Aims: To evaluate the laxative properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) isolated from Gluconacetobacter xylinum sju-1 against loperamide induced constipated Sprague-Dawley rats.

Study Design: Completely Randomised Design (CRD).

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Microbiology,Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and Kovai Medical College Hospital, KMCH College of Pharmacy, Institute Animal House Facility, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu between March 2013- April 2014.

Methodology: The efficacy of colloidal formulation of BC obtained from Gluconacetobacter xylinum sju-1 was studied against loperamide-induced constipation in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test laxative, namely colloidal bacterial cellulose was orally administered at levels based on body weight of animals. Isabgol, a commercial plant based natural laxative obtained from Psyllium husk was used to compare the laxative effect of colloidal bacterial cellulose laxative. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Prior to the initialisation of the experiment, constipation was induced to all the 4 groups by administration of 0.15 mg of loperamide 100g^-1 of body weight twice a day for 5 days. Then the laxatives were administered twice a day orally to the constipated rats for the period of 7 days. Feed and water intake were measured for each group for 24 h period. Faeces were collected from each groups daily at 9.00 h and measured for wet weight.

Results: Among the four groups tested, Group I and III had higher feed intake (20.21±3.39 g and 20.21±1.21 g) compared to Group II (19.99±1.26 g) and IV (19.58±1.52 g). Water intake was found to be higher in Group II and Group IV. Significantly lower water uptake was recorded in Group I followed by Group III. Number of faecal pellets, a most important parameter dealing with the laxative property of the bacterial cellulose was higher in group IV, which excreted 46.34±2.55 number of faecal pellets followed by Group II (44.89±2.36).The animals that fall in group IV recorded a faecal pellet weight of 16.87±54 g with the moisture percent of 2.94±1.24 followed by Group III, II and Group I recorded the least values for number of faecal pellet, moisture content of faecal pellet (%) and weight of faecal pellet of 29.66±1.28, 0.77±1.24 and 3.93±0.54 g of respectively.

Conclusion: Bacterial cellulose increased weight of faeces, water content of faeces, and promoted satiety feeling, and acted as laxative agent by holding water inside the bowel lumen, inhibition of water absorption in the colon and stimulating colonic motility.