The present invention is related to use of atractylenolide III for treating or preventing irritable bowel syndrome. Thus the present invention provides a composition for treating and/or preventing irritable bowel syndrome comprising atractylenolide III as an active ingredient. Atractylenolide III of the present invention is very useful for improving visceral hypersensitivity, particularly pain caused by visceral hypersensitivity.本發明係有關於一種白術內酯III於治療或預防大腸急躁症上之用途。因此本發明提供一種用以治療及/或預防大腸急躁症之組成物,其係包括白術內酯III(atractylenolide III)作為一活性成分。本發明之白術內酯III對於改善臟器過度敏感非常有效,尤其對於因臟器過度敏感所引起的疼痛特別有效果。