Abstract: AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats and its mechanisms.METHODS: Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was used to induce AA in rats. The secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured with volume meter and the polyarthritis index was scored. The changes of the levels of SOD and NO were assessed in blood serum. The synovium mononuclear macrophage (AM) productions of IL-1, TNF-α and PGE₂ were estimated by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: The secondary inflammation of AA rats appeared on the 12th day after injection of FCA. At the same time, total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv and indomethacin were given to AA rats by intragastric administration for two weeks. Total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv(1.0, 1.5 g/kg) could significantly inhibit secondary inflammatory reaction (secondary inflammatory swelling, multiple arthritis)of AA rats from the 24th day. Total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv could reduce the levels of the NO in blood serum and increase the activity of the SOD in blood serum. Meanwhile, total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv(1.0,1.5 g/kg) could remarkably down-regulate IL-1,TNF-α and PEG₂ productions of AM.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv have therapeutical effects on AA rats. Its mechanisms may be related to keeping the balance of cytokine network in AA rats and improving the capability of anti-oxidation effect.

Key words: Total glucosides of Tibetan Herb Myricaria paniculata auct non Linn. Desv, Adjuvant arthritis, Inflammation