Abstract:

Objective To observe the protective and therapeutic effects of Erhuang capsule on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis(EAE) in rat model.
Methods Lewis rats were immunized by the mixture of antigen emulsion which contained spinal cord homogenate of guinea pig and complete Freund's adjuvant mixed in the ratio of 1:1 to induce EAE. The effects of Erhuang capsule on the incidence, CNS histopathologic change, and serum myelin basic protein level were observed.
Results Erhuang capsule could significantly ameliorate the clinical symptoms of EAE rats, reduce MBP content in serum, which were significantly different from those of the model group（P<0.05）. The infiltration areas of inflammatory cells in the brain, cerebellum, brain stem in different dosage groups of Erhuang capsule were significantly fewer than those in the model group（P<0.01）. The demyelination areas in the brain, cerebellum and brain stem in different dosage groups of Erhuang capsule were also significantly fewer than that in model group（P<0.05）. The demyelination areas in the longitudinal sections of spinal cord in the medium dose group of Erhuang capsule were notably fewer than those in the model group. The demyelination areas in the transections of spinal cord in the high and medium dose groups were also significantly fewer than that in the model group（P<0.05）.
Conclusion Erhuang capsule could increase the body weight of EAE rats, reduce the incidence, and cold also significantly improve the histopathologic change of brain and spinal cord.

Key words: multiple sclerosis, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, Erhuang capsule