{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,17]],"date-time":"2026-09-17T02:52:32Z","timestamp":1789613552462,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]],"date-time":"2026-01-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768780800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"National Key Research and Development Program of China","award":["2023YFF1104001"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023YFF1104001"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: The Chinese dwarf cherry (CDC) has been valued for over 2000 years for its medicinal and nutritional properties, particularly its kernels. Despite its recognition as a rich source of oil, the potential health benefits of CDC kernel oil remain unclear. Method: Initially, we evaluated the preventive effectiveness of CDC in a mouse model of constipation induced by loperamide. Results: The findings indicated that CDC kernel oil alleviated constipation by reducing the first black fecal defecation time and increasing the fecal number, wet weight, water content and gastrointestinal transit rate in model mice. Additionally, CDC kernel oil reduced inhibitory neurotransmitters and increased excitability neurotransmitters, two anti-oxidases\u2019 activity and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. Histological analysis revealed an improved mucus cell morphology in the intestinal tract. Furthermore, CDC kernel oil increased the abundance of some beneficial bacteria. It was identified that the gut microbiota was associated with neurotransmitters, mediators of inflammation and SCFAs. Conclusion: The findings offer a scientific foundation for considering CDC kernel oil as a potential functional food for the alleviation of constipation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18020319","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]],"date-time":"2026-01-20T08:36:33Z","timestamp":1768898193000},"page":"319","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The Effects of Chinese Dwarf Cherry (Cerasus humilis) Kernel Oil on Defecation and the Gut Microbiota in Constipated Mice"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Jingyu","family":"Gao","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yumin","family":"Dai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zhe","family":"Liang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nan","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xilong","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4549-0547","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Xin","family":"Wen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuanying","family":"Ni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mo","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"},{"name":"National Engineering Research Center for Fruit and Vegetable Processing, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1159\/000236524","article-title":"Characterization of Two Models of Drug-Induced Constipation in Mice and Evaluation of Mustard Oil in These Models","volume":"84","author":"Kojima","year":"2009","journal-title":"Pharmacology"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1488","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.5410","article-title":"Constipation and Botanical Medicines: An Overview","volume":"29","author":"Cirillo","year":"2015","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1156","DOI":"10.14309\/ajg.0000000000001222","article-title":"Efficacy and Safety of Over-the-Counter Therapies for Chronic Constipation: An Updated Systematic Review","volume":"116","author":"Rao","year":"2021","journal-title":"Am. J. Gastroenterol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chom.2008.02.015","article-title":"Diet-Induced Obesity Is Linked to Marked but Reversible Alterations in the Mouse Distal Gut Microbiome","volume":"3","author":"Turnbaugh","year":"2008","journal-title":"Cell Host Microbe"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"300","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2015.12.023","article-title":"Constipation and the Microbiome: Lumen versus Mucosa!","volume":"150","author":"Quigley","year":"2016","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"599","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2036.2006.03238.x","article-title":"Chronic Constipation: A Survey of the Patient Perspective","volume":"25","author":"Johanson","year":"2007","journal-title":"Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"396396","article-title":"Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Chronic Constipation","volume":"2015","author":"Wang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"85","article-title":"Comparison of Lactobacillus Sporogenes plus Mineral Oil and Mineral Oil Alone in the Treatment of Childhood Functional Constipation","volume":"18","author":"Saneian","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Res. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tifs.2005.12.005","article-title":"The Development of Regulations of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Both Medicinal and Food Uses","volume":"17","author":"Chau","year":"2006","journal-title":"Trends Food Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"525","DOI":"10.1080\/14620316.2015.11668709","article-title":"Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of the Kernels of 31 Genotypes of Chinese Dwarf Cherry [Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok.]","volume":"90","author":"Mu","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Hortic. Sci. Biotechnol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1094\/CCHEM.2002.79.1.148","article-title":"Plant sterols in cereals and cereal products","volume":"79","author":"Piironen","year":"2002","journal-title":"Cereal Chem."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jia, Z.-F., Wang, J.-L., Pan, W., and Hu, J. (2024). Croton tiglium L. Seeds Ameliorate Loperamide-Induced Constipation via Regulating Gastrointestinal Hormones and Gut Microbiota before and after Processing. J. Ethnopharmacol., 319.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2023.117378"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5621","DOI":"10.1039\/D0FO02969F","article-title":"The Protective Effects of Yellow Tea Extract Against Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Mice","volume":"12","author":"Cao","year":"2021","journal-title":"Food Funct."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lv, H., Niu, J., Pan, W., Wang, Y., Wang, L., Wang, M., Shi, Y., Zhang, G., Al Hamyari, B., and Wang, S. (2024). Stool-Softening Effect and Action Mechanism of Free Anthraquinones Extracted from Rheum palmatum L. on Water Deficit-Induced Constipation in Rats. J. Ethnopharmacol., 319.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2023.117336"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, J., Zhao, Y., Ren, D., and Yang, X. (2020). Effect of Okra Fruit Powder Supplementation on Metabolic Syndrome and Gut Microbiota Diversity in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Food Res. Int., 130.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodres.2019.108929"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lin, Q., Liu, M., Erhunmwunsee, F., Li, B., Mou, Y., Wang, S., Zhang, G., and Tian, J. (2022). Chinese Patent Medicine Shouhui Tongbian Capsule Attenuated Loperamide-Induced Constipation through Modulating the Gut Microbiota in Rat. J. Ethnopharmacol., 298.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2022.115575"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Choi, Y.J., Park, J.W., Kim, J.E., Lee, S.J., Gong, J.E., Jung, Y.-S., Seo, S., Hwang, D.Y., Choi, Y.J., and Park, J.W. (2021). Novel Characterization of Constipation Phenotypes in ICR Mice Orally Administrated with Polystyrene Microplastics. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms22115845"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"741","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1872-034X.2012.00996.x","article-title":"Oxidative Stress and Liver Disease","volume":"42","author":"Zhu","year":"2012","journal-title":"Hepatol. Res."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1385\/BTER:110:3:251","article-title":"Effect of Cadmium on Lipid Peroxidation and Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Growing Pigs","volume":"110","author":"Han","year":"2006","journal-title":"Biol. Trace Elem. Res."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1601","DOI":"10.1007\/s00726-016-2219-y","article-title":"Effects of Taurine on Gut Microbiota and Metabolism in Mice","volume":"48","author":"Yu","year":"2016","journal-title":"Amino Acids"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"480","DOI":"10.1038\/nature07540","article-title":"A Core Gut Microbiome in Obese and Lean Twins","volume":"457","author":"Turnbaugh","year":"2009","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xu, P., Wang, J., Hong, F., Wang, S., Jin, X., Xue, T., Jia, L., and Zhai, Y. (2017). Melatonin Prevents Obesity Through Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice. J. Pineal Res., 62.","DOI":"10.1111\/jpi.12399"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1905","DOI":"10.1017\/S0007114514000117","article-title":"Impact of Dietary Fatty Acids on Metabolic Activity and Host Intestinal Microbiota Composition in C57BL\/6J Mice","volume":"111","author":"Patterson","year":"2014","journal-title":"Br. J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tifs.2021.05.001","article-title":"Influences of Dietary Oils and Fats, and the Accompanied Minor Content of Components on the Gut Microbiota and Gut Inflammation: A Review","volume":"113","author":"Ye","year":"2021","journal-title":"Trends Food Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Crowley, E.K., Long-Smith, C.M., Murphy, A., Patterson, E., Murphy, K., O\u2019Gorman, D.M., Stanton, C., Nolan, Y.M., Crowley, E.K., and Long-Smith, C.M. (2018). Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend Enhances the Diversity of Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Mar. Drugs, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/md16060216"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2004.01.019","article-title":"Review of Selenium Toxicity in the Aquatic Food Chain","volume":"326","author":"Hamilton","year":"2004","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1016\/0889-1575(90)90026-I","article-title":"Chinese Food Composition Tables An Annotated Translation of the 1981 Edition Published by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing","volume":"3","author":"Ershow","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Food Compos. Anal."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1016\/j.supflu.2018.01.002","article-title":"Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Seed Oil: Fatty Acid Composition and Antioxidant Activity","volume":"135","author":"Gustinelli","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Supercrit. Fluids"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sheng, Y.Y., Xiang, J., Wang, K.R., Li, Z.Y., Li, K., Lu, J.L., Ye, J.H., Liang, Y.R., and Zheng, X.Q. (2022). Extraction of Squalene from Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis) and Its Variations with Leaf Maturity and Tea Cultivar. Front. Nutr., 9.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.755514"},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"85","article-title":"Determination of Squalene in Oil-Tea Camellia Seed Oil","volume":"38","author":"Dongsheng","year":"2013","journal-title":"China Oils Fats"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"701","DOI":"10.5740\/jaoacint.SGECofan","article-title":"Clinical Application of Plant Sterol and Stanol Products","volume":"98","author":"Ros","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. AOAC Int."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"895","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fct.2011.12.001","article-title":"Effects of Ficus Carica Paste on Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Rats","volume":"50","author":"Lee","year":"2012","journal-title":"Food Chem. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1966","DOI":"10.1039\/C7FO00031F","article-title":"Effects of Different Oligosaccharides at Various Dosages on the Composition of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Mice with Constipation","volume":"8","author":"Wang","year":"2017","journal-title":"Food Funct."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"70","article-title":"Protective Effect of Mulberry Extract against Pb-Induced Learning and Memory Deficits in Mice","volume":"27","author":"Chen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Biomed. Environ. Sci. BES"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ali, R., Irfan, M., Akram, U., Vaince, M., Hassan, K., Maqsood, A., Aslam, A., Amaan, N., Qamar, A., and Memon, S. (2021). Efficacy of Natural Formulation Containing Activated Charcoal, Calcium Sennosides, Peppermint Oil, Fennel Oil, Rhubarb Extract, and Purified Sulfur (Nucarb\u00ae) in Relieving Constipation. Cureus, 13.","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.18419"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1177\/0148607108325074","article-title":"Energy Absorption Is Reduced With Oleic Acid Supplements in Human Short Bowel Syndrome","volume":"33","author":"Compher","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Parenter. Enter. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fang, Z., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Sun, L., Deng, Q., Wang, J., Gooneratne, R., Fang, Z., Chen, Y., and Li, Y. (2022). Oleic Acid Facilitates Cd Excretion by Increasing the Abundance of Burkholderia in Cd-Exposed Mice. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms232314718"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jiang, H., Dong, J., Jiang, S., Liang, Q., Zhang, Y., Liu, Z., Ma, C., Wang, J., and Kang, W. (2020). Effect of Durio Zibethinus Rind Polysaccharide on Functional Constipation and Intestinal Microbiota in Rats. Food Res. Int., 136.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodres.2020.109316"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"453","DOI":"10.3920\/BM2017.0062","article-title":"Manipulation of Intestinal Dysbiosis by a Bacterial Mixture Ameliorates Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Rats","volume":"9","author":"Deng","year":"2018","journal-title":"Benef. Microbes"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1038\/nature08821","article-title":"A Human Gut Microbial Gene Catalogue Established by Metagenomic Sequencing","volume":"464","author":"Qin","year":"2010","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3224","DOI":"10.1039\/C6FO00309E","article-title":"Dietary Fucoidan Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Mice by Increasing the Abundance of Lactobacillus and Ruminococcaceae","volume":"7","author":"Shang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Food Funct."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guo, C., Cui, Q., Cheng, J., Chen, J., Zhao, Z., Guo, R., Dai, X., Wei, Z., and Li, W. (2021). Probiotic-Fermented Chinese Dwarf Cherry [Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok.] Juice Modulates the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Increases The Abundance of Akkermansia in the Gut in Association with Polyphenols. J. Funct. Foods, 80.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jff.2021.104424"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1333","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-024-45636-x","article-title":"Dubosiella newyorkensis Modulates Immune Tolerance in Colitis via the L-Lysine-Activated AhR-IDO1-Kyn Pathway","volume":"15","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nat. Commun."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, T., Wang, J., Zhang, C., Zhao, L., Sheng, Y., Tao, G., and Xue, Y. (2023). Gut Microbial Characteristical Comparison Reveals Potential Anti-Aging Function of Dubosiella newyorkensis in Mice. Front. Endocrinol., 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2023.1133167"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, Y., Ye, S., Shi, J., Wang, H., Deng, G., Wang, G., Wang, S., Yuan, Q., Yang, L., and Mou, T. (2024). Functional Evaluation of Pure Natural Edible Ferment: Protective Function on Ulcerative Colitis. Front. Microbiol., 15.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2024.1367630"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11420","DOI":"10.1039\/D1FO01422F","article-title":"Dihydroquercetin Supplement Alleviates Colonic Inflammation Potentially through Improved Gut Microbiota Community in Mice","volume":"33","author":"Wan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Food Funct."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/2\/319\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,21]],"date-time":"2026-01-21T05:14:25Z","timestamp":1768972465000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/2\/319"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]]},"references-count":46,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["nu18020319"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu18020319","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,19]]}}}