Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Tongfu granules on intestinal microflora barrier function in rats with antibiotic-associated colitis. Tongfu granules which is a kind of Chinese traditional medicine. The present study aimed to investigate protecting effect of the medicine on impaired intestinal mucosa, and further study effects of Dahuang and Houpo which are the two main components of Tongfu granules. Methods Eighty male rats were divided into ten groups. After making the models of Lincomycin induced antibiotic-associated colitis, blood samples of rats were taken for measuring endotoxin.The colonic contents of rats were collected to culture four floras: bacillus acidi lactici, bacillus bifidus, enterococci bacillus coli. The pathological change of intestinal mucosa was observed using light microscope. Results The body weight of the model group was significantly decreased, a significant difference was shown between Houpo and Tongfu granule in weight. The endotoxin in rats of treatment group was decreased. But insignificant difference was shown among Dahuang, Houpo and Tongfu granule groups in endotoxin. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between Tongfu granule and model group after treatment. The number of bacillus acidi lactici, bacillus bifidus, enterococci bacillus coli increased. The scores of the lesions showed a significant difference between Tongfu granule and Dahuang. Conclusion There was injury in intestinal mucosal barrier in antibiotic-associated colitis rats. Chinese Traditional medicine Tongfu granules Dahuang and Houpo had protective effects on the smalI intestinal barrier. They can decrease the endotoxin level of antibiotic-associated colitis rats. They also could recover the intestinal flora. Tongfu granule was better than Dahuang and Houpo.

Key words: Chinese traditional medicine, Tongfu granules, Dahuang, antibiotic-associated colitis, intestinal microflora barrier, intestinal mucous membrane