Runchangningshen paste activates NLRP6 inflammasome-mediated autophagy to stimulate colonic mucin-2 secretion and modulates mucosal microbiota in functional constipation

Figure 2 Runchangningshen paste relieved the inhibitory effect of functional constipation on the defecation function. A: Measurement of body weight (n = 6); B: Measurement of food intake (n = 6); C-E: Measurement of the 24-h fecal index (n = 6) (C: Fecal number; D: Fecal weight; E: Water content of feces); F and G: Measurement of gastrointestinal motility. Rats were intragastrically administered the black solid paste and sacrificed 30 min later. The stomach was removed, and the weights of the entire stomach and empty stomach were measured. The intestine was removed, and the rate of the black solid paste propulsion was calculated (n = 6) (F: Gastric emptying rate; G: Intestinal propulsion rate test). All data were shown as the mean ± SD. P values were calculated using one-way analysis of variance followed by Fisher’s least significant difference test. ^aP < 0.0001 vs normal control (NC) group; ^bP < 0.05 vs functional constipation model (FC) group; ^cP < 0.01 vs FC group; ^dP < 0.001 vs FC group; ^eP < 0.0001 vs FC group. HRCNSP: High dose of runchangningshen paste group; LAC: Lactulose group; LRCNSP: Low dose of runchangningshen paste group; MRCNSP: Medium dose of runchangningshen paste group.