Objective: To study the metabolism of Atractylodes Rhizome polysaccharides and pachymaran in gastrointestinal environments. Method: Atractylodes Rhizome polysaccharides and pachymaran were incubated with artificial gastric

intestinal juice and gut flora respectively; the method of 3

5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) was applied to determine the variation of reducing sugar content

which suggested the metabolism of Atractylodes Rhizome polysaccharides and pachyman in gastrointestinal environments. Result: There was no significant metabolism found in artificial gastric juice and intestinal juice

while most of the polysaccharides were greatly reduced in the process of incubating with gut flora. Conclusion: The intestinal tract is the mainly metabolic place for Atractylodes Rhizome polysaccharides and pachyman

and the gut flora plays an important role in the process.