The anti-inflammatory effects of Chinese crude drug prescriptions on experimental arthritis

San-Miao-Warn (SMW), Tuhwo-Jih-Shen-Tang (TJS) and Dang-Quei-Nian-Tong-Tang (DGT) are Chinese traditional prescriptions. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of these crude drug prescriptions in carrageenan-induced acute arthritis and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic arthritis in rats. It was found that pretreatment with SMW, TJS or DGT at a dosage of 100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg, significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced acute arthritis. Moreover, these crude drugs also significantly suppressed the development of chronic arthritis induced by CFA. These results suggest that SMW, TJS and DGT are potential anti-inflammatory agents and may be considered as alternatives for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).