Objective To compare Shutong Capsule（capsule for d ef ecation） and Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule [capsule of Maren（Fructus Cannabis）] in promoting e nter okinesia on large intestine of costive rats.Methods Si xt y normal Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups

i.e.Shutong Capsule large-dose

middle dose and sma ll-dose groups

and Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule large-dose

middle-dose and sm alldose groups

with 10 in each.The corresponding dose of Shutong Capsule（2.0g/kg

1.0g/kg or 0.5g/kg） or Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule（1.8 g/kg

1.2 g/kg or 0. 6 g/kg） was given to rats by gastric gavage after fasting for 12 hours.Eighty c ostive rat m odels were established by feeding with rice and fasting water for three days

an d then were randomized into 8 groups

i.e.four different dose groups of Shutong Capsule or Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule respectively

with 10 in each.The corre sponding dose of Shutong Capsule（4.0g/kg

2.0g/kg

1.0g/kg or 0.5g/kg） and Mar en Soft Gelatin Capsule（2.4g/kg

1.8 g/kg

1.2 g/kg or 0.6 g/kg） was given to r ats by gastric gavage after fasting for 12 hours. Prepared Chinese ink mixed with normal saline（2ml/100g） was used to observe the enterokinesia condition.The potency and efficacy of two capsules was compared by observing the enterokinesia conditions in different gr oups and drawing the dose effect curve.Results There w as no positive dose-effec t correlation in purgation of Shutong Capsule for normal rats.Shutong Capsule c ould significantly promote enterokinesia for costive rats with a positive doseeffect correlation.The potency and efficacy of Shutong Capsule was superior to t hat of Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule

but the difference was not statistically sign ificant（P>0.05）.Conclusion The purgation effect of Shutong Capsule and Maren Soft Gelatin Capsule is on the same level.