Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of Erhuang Capsule on cell immunity of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE). Methods EAE models C57BL/6 mice were induced by injecting subcutaneously myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA), assisted by injecting intraperitoneally with pertussis toxin (PTX) . The animals were weighted and graded daily for clinical disability. At 12, 25 and 40th day after immunization, lymphocyte subgroups and NK cells in the peripheral blood of mice were detected with flow cytometry. Pathologic identification of the brain tissue were done by HE staining. Results The mice in model group were affected beginning on day 9 and reached the peak on day 22. The CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ in the lymphocyte subgroups increased significantly(P<0.01), and the ratio of CD4/CD8 of T lymphocyte subsets elevated in active phase(P<0.05). At the remission stage, the percentage of T lymphocyte subset CD8⁺ and NK cells declined significantly(P<0.05). In pathology, infiltrated inflammatory cells were observed to form sleeves around the vein and the cerebral neurons showed nucleus pyknosis. After the treatment of Erhuang Capsule, the neurological score declined(P<0.05) and HE staining showed mild inflammatory infiltration. As compared with the model group, the ratio of CD4/CD8 of T lymphocyte subsets was significantly lowered in active phase (P<0.01), while, the levels of T lymphocyte subset(CD3⁺ and CD8⁺) and NK cells increased obviously at the remission stage(P<0.05). Conclusion Erhuang Capsule may prevent and cure EAE by regulating the T-lymphocyte subsets(CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio) and NK cells.

Key words: Erhuang capsule, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, T-lymphocyte subsets, NK cells, mice