To investigate the protective effect of Xuebijing (XBJ) on the acute pancreatitis in rats and its possible mechanism. Methods Thirty SD rats were randomized into sham group, pancreatitis group and XBJ group. The rats in the sham group only underwent opening and closure of the abdomen; the rats in the pancreatitis group received Taurocholate sodium administration to establish animal model and the treatment group was intervened by XBJ. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissues were observed under optic micro-scope. Plasma concentrations of amylase and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αand interleukin(IL)-6 in pancreatic tissues were determined by ELISA. Apoptosis of isolated neutrophiles was detected. Results The pathological changes of the pancreatic tissues in the XBJ group were much more relieved compared to those in the pancreatitis group; the level of blood amylase was significantly lower in the XBJ group (p <0.05).The expressions of TNF-αand IL-6 in the XBJ group were significantly lower than those in the pancreatitis group ( p< 0.05). The PMN apoptotic rate in the XBJ group was not significantly different from that in the pancreatitis group ( p> 0.05). Conclusions XBJ could relieve acute pancreatitis in rats by inhibiting the production of TNF-α and IL-6. Whether it could promote apoptosis of PMN needs further research.