Objective: To investigate the effects of the Yibiqing grain, a combined traditional Chinese medicine, on gastric emptying,
intestinal propulsion, counts of damp excrement and movement of isolated small intestine smooth muscle in
experimental animals. Methods: After the Yibiqing grain were administrated orally, the remaining rate of substance in stomach, the distance that the mixture of Arabian gel and active charcoal powder in intestines was carried forward and the counts of damp excrement were measured. The samples of isolated ileum segment from guinea pigs were prepared, then the contraction intensity and frequency of gut smooth muscle were measured pre- and post-treatment of the Yibiqing grain. Results: The Yibiqing grain could significantly improve gastric emptying, accelerate the
intestinal propulsion and increase counts of damp excrement in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, it could significantly reinforce the contraction intensity of isolated small intestine smooth muscle in guinea pigs (P<0.05). Conclusion: The Yibiqing grain has the function of promoting the motion of gastro-intestines in the experimental animals.