Prolonged periods of sailing may contribute to the development of functional constipation, which can significantly impair an individual’s work efficiency. Currently, the efficacy of Bifidobacteria in treating functional constipation is gaining recognition. However, since the therapeutic effects of Bifidobacteria are strain-specific, further research is required on strains isolated from pre-voyage fecal samples. This study examines the role of gut microbiota in post-stroke constipation, aiming to identify specific microbial biomarkers for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. B. adolescentis was identified through metagenomic analysis and subsequently isolated for validation. In the experimental group (EG), C57BL/6J mice received fecal suspension treatment following a 12-day navigation period, which was subsequently followed by a 12-day oral administration of B. adolescentis. After treatment, EG significantly improved fecal volume, intestinal motility, and goblet cells; reversed microbial ecological imbalance; reduced pathogens (E. coli and Klebsiella) by restoring arginine/bile acid metabolism, decreasing Tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) content, 5-Hydroxytryptamine 4 Receptor (5-HT4R)/Slc8a1 signaling, and Ca²⁺ signaling pathway; and restoring beneficial species (B. adolescentis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This study provides new insights into probiotics in improving human intestinal health.

Functional constipation (FC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with complex etiology. Clinically, it manifests as reduced bowel movement frequency, hard stools, straining during defecation, or incomplete evacuation, significantly impairing patients’ quality of life. While numerous constipation treatments are commercially available, they generally exhibit limited efficacy, pronounced adverse effects, and poor patient compliance. In recent years, the development and application of bioactive compounds from Medicinal-food homology (MFH) have garnered significant attention. Numerous studies indicate that various such compounds demonstrate marked efficacy in ameliorating FC. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms by which bioactive substances from these plants alleviate FC through gut microbiota interactions, providing theoretical guidance for developing functional foods or health supplements with promising therapeutic effects for FC.