This study was conducted to explore underlying mechanism of microcirculation dysfunction and protectiverole of Xuebijing in heat stroke. Forty rats were divided into: control, vehicle?+?heat stress (HS), superoxide dismutase (SOD)?+?HS, and Xuebijing?+?HS groups. Rats in heat stress groups were subjected to continuous heat stress in infant incubator 1?h after tail vein injection of the tested compound and spinotrapezius preparation. Velocity of blood flow through micro-vessels and vascular diameter were detected in real time. Another 27 rats were divided into: vehicle, SOD, and Xuebijing groups, then further divided into three subgroups each: control, Tcore?=?38?°C, Tcore?=?41?°C. Rats were sacrificed, and spinotrapezius single-cell suspensions were prepared for detecting SOD and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results showed that heat stress decreased SOD activity, increased ROS levels, and reduced the blood flow rate. Xuebijing increased SOD activity, decreased ROS levels and exhibited a protective effect in terms of blood flow rate but was less protective than SOD. The survival time in Xuebijing?+?HS group was longer than that in vehicle group but shorter than that in SOD?+?HS group. The results suggested Xuebijing could decrease ROS levels and have protective effects in severe heat stroke.
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