Abstract

This review summarizes the effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and herb extracts in treating severe acute pancreatitis. Substances used in traditional Chinese medicine can inhibit pancreatic enzymes and improve microcirculation as well as immunoregulation by blocking the pathological progress of severe acute pancreatitis. Extracts of Chinese herbs not only act on the pancreas, stomach and intestine, but also have markedly therapeutic effects on other viscera damaged as a result of the systemic inflammatory response to acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the application of extracts of Chinese herbs for treating severe acute pancreatitis has significant clinical value and good prospects.