Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Yougui wan in treating spleen and kidney deficiency type chronic functional constipation (CFC) and its influence on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Method: One hundred and twenty CFC patients were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and treatment group (60 cases) according to random number table. Patients of control group were treated according to Guideline of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Constipation in China

including adjustment of life-style

cathartic of phenolphthalein tablet (100 mg/time

bid)

and impetus drug of domperidone tablets (1 tablet/time

tid

taking ante cibum 30 min). Based on the treatment in control group

patients in treatment group also received Yougui Wan (1 dose/d

tid). Course of treatment was 4 weeks for both groups. Main CFC symptoms were assessed before and after treatment between both groups. Quality of life for two groups was evaluated according to short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36). Serum SOD and MDA levels were measured in all cases pre-post treatment. Result: The total clinical efficacy of treatment group was 98.33%

which was superior to 85% in control group

with statistical difference (P<0.01). After treatment

CFC symptom scores in treatment group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01). Score in each item of SF-36 in treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment

serum SOD level in treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group while MDA level was lower than that in control group with statistical difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on control group

Yougui Wan may improve clinical symptoms and clinical efficacy in treating spleen and kidney deficiency type CFC

and its effect may be relevant to rising SOD level and reducing MDA levels in serum.