Abstract: Aim To study the anti-inflammatory effect of astragalosides (AST) and its mechanisms of action. Methods The exudate volume neutrophil count and protein content in exudate were measured in the carrageenan-induced air pounch model in rats. The content of PGE₂ was assayed by radioimmunoassay, the activity of PLA₂ by microacid titration assay,IL-8 by ELISA,and NO by nitrate reductase assay. The production of $\mathop{{O}}_{2}^{{\mathop{}_{\ ·}^{-}}}$ in neutrophil was determined by cytochrome Cassay. Results AST (40,80mg· kg^-1） could markedly reduce the exudate volume neutrophil counprotein content, the content of IL-8, and the production of $\mathop{{O}}_{2}^{{\mathop{}_{\ ·}^{-}}}$. AST lowered PLA₂ activity of neutrophil and accellular component in exudate and it also decreased the contents of PGE₂ and NO in exudate. Conclusion AST has an obvious anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. Its mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of vascular permeability and leukocyte migration as well as to the suppression of PLA₂ activity and the reduction of IL-8, PGE₂, NO and $\mathop{{O}}_{2}^{{\mathop{}_{\ ·}^{-}}}$ production.

Key words: astragalosides, carrageenan, antinflammation, interlukin 8, phospholipases A₂