This study aimed to screen probiotic strains with intestinal motility-regulating activity from Lactobacillus strains derived from traditional fermented foods and evaluate their effects on loperamide-induced constipation in mice. From six candidate strains, the dominant strain was selected based on acid/bile tolerance, HT-29 cell adhesion, and 5-HT secretion capacity. A constipation mouse model was established using loperamide hydrochloride. Mice were divided into normal control, model, positive control, and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of the screened strain. Defecation parameters, small intestinal transit rate, colonic gastrointestinal regulatory peptides, 5-HT, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gut microbiota, and motility-related protein expression were analyzed. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-01 exhibited superior acid/bile tolerance, adhesion ability, and 5-HT-promoting capacity. Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose LP-01 significantly shortened the time to first black stool, increased 6-hour fecal pellet count and fecal water content, and improved small intestinal transit rate (all P<0.01). LP-01 elevated colonic 5-HT, motilin (MTL), and substance P (SP) levels while reducing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). It restored SCFA levels and the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, LP-01 up-regulated colonic c-Kit, TPH1, and 5-HT₄R expression and down-regulated aquaporin 3 (AQP3) (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-01 alleviates loperamide-induced constipation by modulating gut microbiota, promoting SCFA production, and restoring 5-HT and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) signaling, demonstrating potential as a probiotic for regulating intestinal motility.

Yan Dong, Liu Wenhan, Han Caiwen. Screening of Probiotic Lactobacillus Strains with Intestinal Motility-Regulating Activity and Analysis of Their Constipation-Relieving Effect and Mechanisms. International Journal of World Medicine (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 1: 82-90. https://doi.org/10.38007/IJWM.2026.070108.

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