RESUMO
Objective: To study the effects of Sijunzi Dripping Pill (SDP) on gastrointestinal motility of mice. Methods: The diarrhea and swimming model of mice was made by Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-induced spleen deficiency. The intestinal transit, gastric emptying test, serum motilin (MTL), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP) were chosen to observe the effects of high-, mid-, and low-dose SDP on stomach movements, and the water extractive of Sijunzi Decoction was used as positive control. Results: Compared with the control group, the gastric emptying rate in the gastrointestinal motility group was significantly decreased, the intestinal propulsion rate was obviously increased, the levels of MTL, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and SP were increased (P < 0.05), while the level of VIP was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, SDP could decrease the intestinal transit rate, whereas increase the gastric emptying rate and the level of MTL (P < 0.05); The high-dose SDP could decrease the level of PGE2 (P < 0.05) and the low-dose SDP could decrease the level of VIP (P < 0.05); Each group had no significant effect on SP. Conclusion: SDP has the good effect on increasing the gastrointestinal motility of mice, and its function may partly relate to the regulation of the levels of MTL and VIP as well as PGE2. © 2014 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.