ive] To observe the effects of Shengjiang Capsule (SC) on gastric evacuation and to study its mechanism. [Methods] Eight-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated to five groups. Group A served as normal control, and Group B were treated with high dosage of SC, Group C with low dosage of SC, Group D with Zhike Baizhu Decotion and Group E with cisapride. After ten days of treatment, gas tric evacuation of rats was detected by isotope tracing method, erythrocyte-acetycholinesterase activity by micro-hydroxylamine method and plasma motilin (Mot) and somatostatin (SS) levels by radioimmunoas-say. [Results] Thirty-minute gastric evacuation rate was (51.44?.38)%, (40.82 + 7.24)% and (40.22?.16)% in Group B, Group C and Group D respectively, which was higher than that in Group A [ (33.18?.32)%]. Erythrocyte-acetycholinesterase activity, Mot and SS levels were (0.856?.128) umol/h, (124.26?5.94) ng/L and (39.42?.96) ng/L, and (0.726?.164 ) umol/h, (119.86 ?9.38) ng/L and (38.33 ?.64) ng/L in Group B and Group C respectively, which were higher than those in Group A [ (0.576 ?.150)/umol/h, (91.28 + 26.84) ng/L and (28.22 ?7.68)ng/L]. [Conclusion] SC can promote gastric evacuation, and its mechanism may be re lated to the increase of the cholinergic nerve function and plasma Mot and SS levels.