Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of the compound T₀ extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii, a traditional Chinese herb, in comparison with those of cyclosporin A(CyA), on down-regulating the expression and activities of IL-1 and IL-2. Methods The cellular reactive systems of peritoneal macrophage (rat)-thymocytes (rat), and spleen cells (rat)-CTLL-2 (mouse) were set up. The technique of ³H-TdR incorporation was applied. Results The production of IL-1 and IL-2 were significantly inhibited by T₀ and CyA. The activities of IL-1 and IL-2 were down-regulated by T₀,rather than by CyA. Conclusion T₀ and CyA are potent inhibitors of the production of IL-1 and IL-2. Effects of T₀ on the activities of IL-1 and IL-2 are different from those of CyA.

Key words: Interleukin-1, Interleukin-2, Triptolide, Cyclosporine