Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Adenophorae Radix (AR) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including strengthening cardiac function, allaying a fever, and easing pain and cough. However, the regulatory effects of AR in intestinal inflammation are not yet understood. This study attempted to determine the effect of AR in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) - induced colitis in mice. The colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days. The results showed that mice treated with DSS showed remarkable clinical signs, including weight loss, and reduced colon length. Administration of AR attenuated weight loss, colon shortening and inhibited the levels of interleukin (IL) - 6 in DSS - treated colon tissues. These results provide experimental evidence that AR might be a useful therapeutic medicine for patients with UC.