Study on colon health benefit of polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves in vivo

The effect of polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves on mouse colon was examined. Mice were orally given polysaccharide at doses of 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/g body weight for 30 days. The results showed that colon index in the mice supplemented with the polysaccharide significantly increased as the administration time increased and the length of colon in the polysaccharide group in 30 days was longer than the control. The pH values in caecum, colon and faeces of the polysaccharide group were significantly reduced. The content of faecal moisture was significantly higher in the polysaccharide group. Furthermore, the levels of acetate, propionate and butyrate and total short fatty acids in caecum and colon of mice fed with 0.6 mg/g body weight significantly increased. Thus, polysaccharide from C. paliurus was effective in promoting colonic health.