Bioactive components of medicinal-food homology substances alleviating constipation via gut microbiota modulation: a review.

Functional constipation (FC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with complex etiology. Clinically, it manifests as reduced bowel movement frequency, hard stools, straining during defecation, or incomplete evacuation, significantly impairing patients' quality of life. While numerous constipation treatments are commercially available, they generally exhibit limited efficacy, pronounced adverse effects, and poor patient compliance. In recent years, the development and application of bioactive compounds from Medicinal-food homology (MFH) have garnered significant attention. Numerous studies indicate that various such compounds demonstrate marked efficacy in ameliorating FC. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms by which bioactive substances from these plants alleviate FC through gut microbiota interactions, providing theoretical guidance for developing functional foods or health supplements with promising therapeutic effects for FC.