Abstract: To investigate the intervention effect of Dahuang Mudan decoction on acute pancreatitis model rats and its possible molecular mechanism. Ninty-six rats were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups: sham operation group, model group, positive drug control group and Dahuang Mudan decoction high, medium and low dose groups (n=16). The acute pancreatitis model was established by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The model group and sham operation group were given normal saline by gavage; The positive drug control group was subcutaneously injected with octreotide; the with high, medium and low dose experimental group were given Dahuang Mudan decoction for 6 days. Blood was taken from the heart and pancreatic tissue was dissected by laparotomy. The expression levels of HMGB1, RAGE, p-NF-κBp65 and p-IκBα in pancreatic tissue were detected by IHC and Western blot methods. The expression levels of HMGB1 and RAGE in pancreatic tissue were detected by RT-PCR. The contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in pancreatic tissue were detected by ELISA. The results showed that:1) Compared with the sham operation group, the rats in the model group had a relatively poor general survival condition, and a significant swelling and hyperemia of the pancreatic tissue under the microscope. The protein expression of HMGB1 and RAGE, the phosphorylation of NF-κBp65 and IκBα, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in pancreatic tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05); 2) Compared with the model group, the general living conditions of the rats in the treatment groups were improved in different degrees, interstitial edema and necrosis were significantly improved under the microscope. The protein and gene expression of HMGB1 and RAGE, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and IκBα, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6 in pancreatic tissue were significantly decreased, especially in the large dose group of Dahuang Mudan decoction (P<0.05). This study indicate that Dahuang Mudan decoction can significantly improve acute pancreatic lesions in rats, and its mechanism is that it can inhibit the activation of HMGB1 /RAGE/ NF-κB pathway and block the inflammatory cascade.

Key words: Dahuang Mudan decoction, acute pancreatitis, HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway