Abstract：Objective：To investigate the protective effect of total saponins of astragalus on intestinal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and its effect on the expressions of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in intestinal tissues. Methods：A total of 100 SD rats were divided into the control group，the model group，the dexamethasone group and the total saponins of astragalus groups with low and high doses respectively (the low-dose group and the high-dose group). Except for the control group，the other groups were given sodium taurocholate to induce the rat models with severe acute pancreatitis. After successful model preparation，the low-dose group，the high-dose group and the dexamethasone group were given intraperitoneal injection with corresponding medicine；the control group and the model group were given the same volume of normal saline. After 24 hours，the pancreatic and intestinal mucosal tissues as well as the serum of rats were obtained to measure the indexes of mucosal injury， the serum amylase and the proportions of pancreas. The pathological conditions of intestinal mucosal injury were observed by HE staining，and the expression levels of p38MAPK，NF-κB proteins and mRNA in intestinal mucosa were measured. Results：Compared with those in the control group， the indexes of intestinal mucosal injury， the serum amylase and the proportion of the pancreas as well as the expression levels of p38MAPK， NF- κB mRNA and protein in the model group were increased(P＜0.05)； compared with those in the model group，the above indexes in the dexamethasone group，the low-dose group and the high-dose group were decreased(P＜0.05)；compared with those in the dexamethasone group，the above indexes in the low- dose group were increased(P＜0.05)；compared with those in the low- dose group，the above indexes in the high- dose group were decreased(P＜0.05). Conclusion： Total saponins of astragalus has protective effect on intestinal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis，and can relieve intestinal inflammation in rats with acute pancreatitis，whose mechanism is related to total saponins of astragalus inhibiting the expressions of p38MAPK， NF- κB mRNA and protein， and further inhibiting the activation of the p38MAPK/ NF-κB inflammatory pathway.