Insoluble dietary fibers from Hancornia speciosa alleviates chronic constipation on experimental loperamide-induced model.

Constipation is one of the most prevalent intestinal disorders and is characterized by the presence of hard and dry stools, excessive effort, infrequent bowel movements, abdominal distension and pain, and others. Low fiber consumption may be one of the nutritional factors that greatly influence the development of constipation. Previous studies have observed the laxative effect of Hancornia speciosa fruit pulp. So, this study aims to extract and characterize the dietary fibers from H. speciosa fruit pulp and evaluate the laxative effect of both soluble (SDF) and insoluble (IDF) fractions on an experimental model of loperamide-induced chronic constipation. Monosaccharide and NMR analyses showed that SDF and IDF fractions were mainly composed of arabinose, indicating the presence of pectic arabinans. No changes on food and water intake and weight gain were observed. IDF fraction induced a threefold increase in number, weight and water content of fecal pellets and doubled small intestine transit rate. Similar results were obtained for SDF in a smaller intensity. Both fractions decreased the number of leukocytes in small and large intestines, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the dietary fiber fractions from H. speciosa were effective in improving fecal parameters and alleviating constipation symptoms in the evaluated model.