Abstract: Objective To compare clinical course and the level of Th1/Th2(IFN-γ/IL-4) from blood of lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE); and to elucidate the functions of Erhuangfang in regulating autoimmune diseases. Methods Lewis rats were immunized with the myelin basic protein(MBP). They were grouped randomly into normal group, EAE-group, prednisone group and Erhuangfang group post immunization(PI). They were monitored daily after PI, and the clinical scores of the degree of paralysis were recorded. On day of 7, 14 and 28 PI, the peripheral blood were collected for cytokines examination. Results On day of 28 after PI, the level of IL-4 was significantly higher(P<0.01) in Erhuangfang group than in EAE group and prednisone group. On day of 28 after PI, the Th1/Th2 level was significantly lower(P<0.01) in Erhuangfang group than in EAE group and prednisone group. Conclusion Erhuangfang can alleviate the clinical signs, upregulate the IL-4 and downregulate the Th1/Th2 levels of serum in EAE.

Key words: autoimmune diseases, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, cytokines, traditional Chinese medicine, Erhuangfang