Anti-inflammatory effects of an herbal medicine (Xuan-Ju agent) on carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats.

Xuan-Ju agent is an herbal formula containing aqueous extract of Formica fusca, Herba epimedii, Fructus cnidii, and Fructus lycii, all of which are reputed for their beneficial effects in the treatment of the immunodeficient diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We performed a study on the anti-inflammatory effects of this agent using carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats. Xuan-Ju agent showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema in two models of inflammation in rats, at the dose of 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80g/kg. Based on this study, Xuan-Ju agent is considered to be a potentially useful drug suitable for further evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis.