Objective: To observe the curative effect of Huadu Yuchang decoction in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) of dampness-heat type by oral administration and enema method and investigate its mechanism of action. Method: Ninety-six patients of UC were randomly divided into treatment group and control group

48 cases in each group. The patients in control group orally took sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets (4 g · d-1

qid) and triamcinolone tablets (10 mg · d-1

tid). On the basis of the control treatment

the patients in treatment group also received Huadu Yuchang decoction by oral administration (1 dose/d

bid) and enema method (100 mL/time

3 h/time

once/2 d). The treatment course was 8 weeks for both groups. Traditional Chinese medicine symptoms

pathological scores

colonoscopy scores and Southerland disease activity indexes were compared before and after treatment in 2 groups. The curative effects after treatment were analyzed in 2 groups. Serum levels of interleukin-22 (IL-22) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) were detected before and after treatment in both groups. Result: The total effective rate was 97.92% in treatment group

higher than 81.25% in control group (P< 0.05). Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores

pathological scores

colonoscopy scores and Southerland disease activity indexes in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group (P< 0.01). Serum levels of IL-22 and IL-23 in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group

with statistically significant differences (P< 0.01). Conclusion: Huadu Yuchang decoction treating UC of dampness-heat type by oral administration and enema method could reduce Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores and Southerland disease activity indexes

improve the pathological and colon conditions

and increase the clinical efficacy. Its action mechanism may be associated with reducing serum levels of IL-22 and IL-23

which is worthy of further discussion.