Abstract： AIM: To discuss the effect of curcumin and its anti-inflammatory mechanisms in necrotizing enterocolitis rat model. METHODS: NEC model of rats were established by artificial feeding, cold exposure after hypoxic-reoxygenation treatment and LPS intragastric administration. The rats were randomly divided into normal control ( group A), model group ( group B ),curcumine group(group C) and solvent group(group D). All the subjects were put to death on the 4th day and proximal intestines of ileocecal junction were undertaken pathological sectioning. HE dying was carried out to observe histological changes and make a score of tissue damage. The expression of NF-KB was detected by immunohistochemical method. Other intestinal tissue was treated into homogenate. After the homogenate was centrifuged, supernates were tested the density of TNF-α and IL-6 with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There were not NEC symptoms in rats of groups A and D. The rats of group B appeared typical NEC symptoms. Compared with group B, the NEC symptoms of group C appeared later and lighter. The histopathologic scores and expression of NF-KB, TNF-α, IL- 6 in group B significantly increased( P < 0.01 ) compared with groups A and D and group C significantly reduced(P < 0.05 ) compared with group B. CONCLUSION: Curcumin has a protective effect on rats of NEC. Its mechanism the restraint in NF-KB, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions so as to have an anti-inflammation effect.