Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of emodin on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance of the sepsis rats. METHODS Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, emodin group and metformin positive control group. At 1 h before operation, emodin group rats were given 100 mg·kg^-1 CMC-Na suspension by gavage and 150 mg·kg^-1 CMC-Na for metformin positive control group, sepsis model were based on cecal ligation and puncture. The blood glucose in rats were measured at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h before and after operation, and at 2 h after operation, the insulin levels were measured, at 24 h after operation, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP level were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Emodin could improve the insulin resistance, lower the high blood glucose of infected sepsis rats and significantly reduce the level of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP. CONCLUSION Emodin can reduce hyperglycemia of sepsis rats, and improve the insulin resistance. Its protective mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the inflammatory cytokine secretion.