ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of amount of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and expression of stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit in the process of cathartic colon induced by emodin in mice. MethodsA modified cathartic colon mouse model was established. Seventy-two healthy male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into the blank control group and sustained drug delivery group.Morphological changes of colon in mice were observed; frozen section immunofluorescence was used to observed changes of amount of ICC; serum concentrations of SCF were examined by ELISA; Western blot was employed for observation of expression of SCF/c-Kit in colon. ResultsAfter the mice model were completed, the weight of mouse, length and diameter of entire colon were all reduced compared with the blank control group. The amount of ICC appeared to decline in the beginning of the first 6 weeks with emodin used, and significant decreased in 10-12 weeks. The serum concentrations of SCF first began to decline in 4 weeks with emodin used, and significantly decreased in 6 weeks, and continued at a low level after 8 weeks. The expression of c-Kit in colon began to decline in 4 weeks with emodin used and significantly reduced after 8 weeks. Conciusions The amount of ICC appear to slowly decline in the beginning of the first 12 weeks with emodin used, and significant decrease after 12 weeks.The serum concentrations of SCF and expression of c-Kit in colon have the dynamic changes in the meanwhile, and the changes of SCF are earlier than that of c-Kit. The trend of amount ofICC may have a certain relationship with changes of SCF and c-Kit.