Protective effects of ligustrazine, kakonein and Panax notoginsenosides on multiple organs in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to compare the protective effects of three traditional Chinese herbal medicines (ligustrazine, kakonein and Panax notoginsenosides) on multiple organs in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The mortality rates in all three treated groups were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). All three herbal medicines significantly alleviated the pathological changes in the pancreas, liver and kidney in SAP rats, induced pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis and effectively prevented the apoptosis of cells in the liver and kidney; however, no obvious lung protection was observed. Panax notoginsenosides showed better pancreatic protection than ligustrazine and kakonein, while kakonein displayed a better role in improving liver and kidney function. The protective effects of ligustrazine were somewhat more comprehensive.