Abstract
Constipation is a common clinical problem that comprises of symptoms that include excessive straining, hard feces, feeling of incomplete evacuation and infrequent defecation. Although many conditions, such as metabolic problems, fiber deficiency, anorectal problem, an drug, can cause constipation. This study was examined the effects of Chilsun-Whan on intestinal mucosa and gastrointestinal transit time and plasma lipids in rats. Adult male rats were fed for weeks on diets containing no addition(basal diet group), 5% cellulose(cellulose group) and 2.5% . Chilsun-Whan group(Chilsun-Whan group). The results were as follows; 1. The fecal weght was significantly increased 2 times in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet group. 2. The gastrointestinal transit times was significantly decreased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet. 3. Carmine red mixed with Chilsun-Whan, as a marker, was administered through a gastric tube for stomach or intracecally by a chronically implanted catheter for colon transit. Small intestinal transit and large intestinal transit time were significantly decreased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet. 4. The height of jejunal villi was developed in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet The thickness of mucosa and muscle layer of colonic mucosa were significantly developed in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet group. 5. The change of goblet cell in colonic mucosa was increased acid mucin stained alcian blue in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet and cellulose group. 6. HDL-cholesterol of plasma lipid was increased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet and cellulose groups. Theses results suggests that Chilsun-Whan may be used in prevention and treatment of constipation resulting in increase of fecal weight, decrease of gastrointestinal transit time. development of intestinal villi, intensify of stainability of acid mucin in colon.