Phytochemical profiles and anti-constipation synergistic mechanisms of Prunus domestica L. cultivars: A multi-target approach involving gastrointestinal hormones and microbial homeostasis

Functional constipation is a common digestive disorder affecting quality of life. Dietary intervention with plums ( Prunus domestica L .) is a safe alternative to pharmacotherapy, but cultivar-specific chemical differences lead to inconsistent efficacy. We hypothesized that these compositional variations differentially affect intestinal function. Dietary fiber was measured by enzymatic hydrolysis, total polyphenols by Folin-Ciocalteu, and differential phenolic markers were screened via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis analysis. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IEC-6 cell inflammation model and a loperamide-induced mouse constipation model were used to evaluate three cultivars (‘French’, ‘Empress’, ‘Stanley’); gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing. The ‘French’ cultivar (highest fiber, 44.0%; sorbitol, 48.7%) most effectively promoted potential butyrate-producing bacteria. All cultivars improved defecation, fecal water content, intestinal transit, reduced colonic interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), modulated neuroendocrine factors (increased motilin (MTL), substance P (SP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), decreased vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)), and restored goblet cells and crypt morphology. The polyphenol-rich ‘Empress’ (232.5 mg/g) and ‘Stanley’ differentially enhanced other beneficial genera. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was increased by plums. Plum composition directly determines distinct probiotic and laxative effects, providing a basis for cultivar specific functional applications. • French, Empress, Stanley plums differ in fiber, sorbitol, polyphenols. • Plum juice boosts gut motility and reduces colonic inflammation in mice. • The regulation of gut health by plums is cultivar specific. • Plum phytochemicals directly linked to probiotic gut health effects.