Objective: To explore the effect of Xiaofu Tongjie fang on functional constipation defecation function and gastrointestinal motility index. Method: Fifty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group

model group

Xiaofu Tongjie fang high dose group

Xiaofu Tongjie fang medium dose group

Xiaofu Tongjie fang low dose group with ten rats in each group. SD rats with functional constipation model were estabilished by oral administration of compound diphenoxylate tablets for 4 weeks. After the success of modeling

the treatment group was given Xiaofu Tongjie fang for 3 weeks. Performance of different groups of rats

food intake

feces weightand general behavior. Rats' colonic electromyography was detected by Power Lab. The serum contents of motilin and gastrin were detected by ELISA. Result: Compared with the control group

in the model group the body weight

food intake

feces quantity were decreased

with significant difference (P<0.01). Compared with the model group

the body weight

food intake and fecal quantity of rats were increased in Xiaofu Tongjie fang high and medium dose group

which were markly increased in the high dose group(P<0.01). Compared with the blank group

the frequency of in vivo colonic electromyography slow wave was decreasedand the amplitudewas increased

in all groups of Xiaofu Tongjie fang

which were markly changed in the high dose group (P<0.01). The serum contents of motilin and gastrin in all groups of Xiaofu Tongjie fang group were decreased as compared with the blank group

and which were increased markly for high dose group as compared with the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion: Xiaofu Tongjie fang can treat functional contipation by impoving the symptoms and the gastrointestinal motility in functional constipation rats.