ABSTRACT
Background: Cathartic colon belongs to the category of 'constipation' in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and its pathogenesis is related to deficiency of kidney temperament and weak promotion ability, which has become a hot spot of global medical attention. Aims: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Jiawei Shenqi-wan (JSQW) on intestinal transmission function and pathological changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in rats with cathartic colon. Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, prucalopride group and JSQW group. Fecal moisture content, fecal particle number and intestinal transit rate were detected. The pathological changes of ICCs were observed under transmission electron microscope. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of water channel proteins (AQP3 and AQP9) and SCF/c-kit pathway. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)