OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Zhishi Tongjiang granule on gastrointestinal motility

serum interleukin-6（ IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α（ TNF-α） in rats with postoperative intestinal obstruction

so as to explore the restorative effect and mechanism of Zhishi Tongjiang granule on postoperative gastrointestinal function.METHODS: Totally 30 SD rats were selected

with half male and half female

which were randomly divided into blank group

model group and experimental group

with 10 rats in each group. The rats in model group and experimental group were given laparoscopy to establish postoperative intestinal obstruction model; at 24 h after surgery

the gastrointestinal propulsion rate and gastric residue mass were measured

and 2 cm close to the small intestine pylorus was taken for Hematoxylin-Eosin staining to observe the intestinal mucosal damage. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group

the gastrointestinal propulsion rates in experimental group and model group decreased significantly

the gastric residue mass

serum IL-6 and TNF-α contents increased significantly

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 01）; the gastrointestinal propulsion rate of experimental group was significantly higher than that of the model group

the gastric residue mass

serum IL-6 and TNF-α contents of experimental group were significantly lower than those of the model group

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 01）. Results of pathological images indicated that the inflammatory exudation and necrosis of small intestinal mucosa in the model group were more obvious than that of the blank group

the inflammatory exudation was alleviated and mucosal necrosis was less in the experimental group than compared with the model group. CONCLUSIONS: Zhishi Tongjiang granule can improve the gastrointestinal dynamics of rats with postoperative intestinal obstruction

inhibit the elevation of serum IL-6 and TNF-α

and promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function.