Objective To observe the influence of “liqitongxia decoction” on intestinal barrier dysfunction of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Forty AP patients were randomly divided into “liqitongxia decoction” group (n=20) and magnesium sulfate group (n=20). APACHE Ⅱ score and gastrointestinal functions score (GFS) on admission， at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and on day 5 after admission were recorded. The ratio of urine lactulose to mannitol (L/M), plasma activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) and the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α and IL-6 on admission, at 72 h and on the day 5 after admission were detected. Results The ratio of severe AP was not significantly different between two groups (P＞0.05). On the day 5 after admission, APACHEⅡscore and GFS in two groups decreased. The ratio of L/M, the activity of DAO, the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in “liqitongxia decoction” group and elevated in magnesium sulfate group. The APACHE Ⅱ score was not significantly different between two groups on the day 5 of admission (P＞0.05), but the GFS, the ratio of L/M, the activity of DAO, levels of endotoxin, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly different between two groups (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Conclusion The “liqitongxia decoction” may ameliorate the intestinal barrier dysfunction of patients with acute pancreatitis.