Objective: To observe whether Jianpi Bushen Qingchang Huashi decoction(JBQHD) can promote the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) intravenously transplanted in rat's bone to the colon of ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model. Method: MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro

then spread to the third generation to prepare cell suspension

and 0.78 mg·L-1 JBQHD was added into it for co-culture. Fluorescent pre-labeling by 4'

6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) was carried out in vitro. The rats were divided into blank group

model group

MSCs group

intervened MSCs group and combined group. UC rats models were established by TNBS method. The rats of blank group and model group received intravenous injection with 1 mL normal saline respectively through tail veins. The rats of MSCs group received intravenous injection with 1 mL MSCs through tail veins(1×106 CFU).The rats of intervened MSCs group and combined group received intravenous injection with MSCs that had been intervened in vitro with the decoction(1×106 CFU)

and the combined group also received 13.6 g·kg-1JBQHD by ig for 10 days. Five rats were killed respectively in each group on Day 5 and Day 10.Gross morphological and histological evaluation was taken for the colon specimens

and confocal microscope was used to observe the migration of MSCs labeled by DAPI in the colon tissues;immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the expression of Musashi-1(a marker of intestinal stem cells). Result: Compared with the normal group

the rats in model group had extensive hyperemia and edema in colon tissues

accompanied by erosion and visible ulceration

indicating successful modeling. Except model group and normal group

MSCs labeled by DAPI can be detected in colon tissues in all other groups

and the quantity increased gradually with time.The all treatment groups could improve gross morphology and histopathology in colon tissues of rats

and the result in combined group was superior to that in MSCs group (P<0.05) on Day 10

and various transplantgroups could increase the expression of Musashi-1

and the result in combined group and intervened MSCs group was superior to that in MSCs group (P<0.05) on Day 10. Conclusion: JBQHD could not only promote the migration and differentiation of MSCs to the colon ulcers

but also repair the damaged colon mucosa.