ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study protective effect and pathogenesis of complex salvia miltiorrhiza (DanShen) on acute mercury poisoning in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Models of acute mercury poisoning was made in rabbits. The effect of complex salvia miltiorrhiza on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), copper-protein (CP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte and MDA, SOD in tissues homogenate were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The administration of complex salvia miltiorrhiza after mercury injection 0.5 h and 9.5 h, decreased BUN, CP, MDA, LDH and ACP, and prevented the reduction of SOD. Compared with mercury poisoning group, the difference was statistical significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is suggested that acute mercury poisoning may result in renal damage but also multiple organ tissues, and complex salvia miltiorrhiza possesses protective effect, through stabilized membranes.</p>