Abstract: The goal of this research was to explore the ameliorative effect of dietary fiber of red jujube (DFRJ) on functional
constipation and its improvement effect on intestinal health in mice. Mice were divided into 5 groups as follows: blank
control, model control, and low dose, middle dose and high dose DFRJ groups (0.30, 0.60 and 1.20 g/(kg·d)). A mouse
model of functional constipation was established after oral administration of compound diphenoxylate for ten days. The
intestinal motion rate, defecation time and feces weight of all the mice were investigated. Another 48 mice were chosen and
allocated to the blank control group and the three dose groups, respectively, and orally administered for fourteen days. The
fresh feces of the mice were collected before and after administration for 1 and 14 days, homogenized and diluted, and then
the bacteria were identified and counted after cultivation. The results showed that DFRJ could significantly improve the
intestinal propulsion rate of the mice (P < 0.01), shorten the excretion time of the first black feces and increase the number
of defecation and the weight of feces (P < 0.05). DFRJ could significantly reduce the numbers of intestinal Escherichia coli,
Enterococcus, and Clostridium perfringens, while it could promote the reproduction of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
(P < 0.05) at the dose of 0.60 g/(kg·d). Red jujube dietary fiber has the capacity to promote defecation and improve the
intestinal flora in mice, which is beneficial for relieving functional constipation and enhancing intestinal health.

Key words: dietary fiber of red jujube, intestinal flora, functional constipation