Objective: To study the mechanisms of Tongxie Yaofang to treat irritable bowel syndrome from point of view of interaction between brain and intestine.Method: 50 Wister rats were divided randomly into normal group

model group

the large dose of Tongxie Yaofang group

the lower dose of Tongxie Yaofang group and the dicetel group.The rat model of irritable bowel syndrome was made by moving-restriction combined with taking senna decoction

The protein expressions of c-fos were detected by immunohistochemistry in different brain areas and nucleus in brain

the functions of colonic and small intestine were also evaluated by observing the counts of feces

the discharging times of the glass beads and the ink movement in the small intestine in rats.Result: The counts of feces in rats were decreased（P < 0.05）

the discharging times of the glass beads were reduced and the ink movement in the small intestine were markedly decreased（P < 0.01）

the gray values of c-fos protein in different brain areas and nucleus were significantly higher（P < 0.05） in large dose Tongxie Yaofang group in comparison with model group

the protein expressions of c-fos in different brain areas in Tongxie Yaofang group were markedly decreased.Conclusions:Tongxie Yaofang has the effect of regulating the functions of the axis of brain and intestine.