Abstract:Objective: To explore the effects of oxymatrine (OMT) on NF-κB and other cell factors in rat lung tissue with septic shock. Method: Fifty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: sham operation group, OMT control group, model (CLP) group, CLP+OMT high, middle, low-dose group, positive control group. Changes in NF-κB (p65) and IkB-α activity in the pulmonary tissue were determined by immunohistochemical method, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in pulmonary tissue were determined by radioimmunoassay. Result: OMT could decrease significantly the NF-κB (p65) and IkB-α activity in the pulmonary tissue (P<0.05), TNF-α and IL-6 levels in pulmonary tissue homogenate decreased markedly (P<0.05). OMT could elevate the content of PaO2, SaO2, decrease the content of PaCO2, HCO-3 and decrease the ratio between wet weight of the lung and dry weight of the lung and the PWI. Conclusion: OMT can inhibit NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), NF-κB activity and reduce the expression of proinflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-6) and antagonize the lung injury in a rat model of septic shock.