TETRANDRINE INHIBITS BREAKDOWN OF BLOOD-AQUEOUS BARRIER INDUCED BY ENDOTOXIN AND INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA IN RATS

Tetrandrine was shown to significantly inhibit uveitis induced by endo toxin and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in rats. The dose-response curve of IL-1 alpha-induced uveitis was inhibited in a non-competitive manner. The maximum inflammation induced by IL-1 alpha was suppressed to 58.4%, 38.3% and 18.3% of the control peak by 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg an d 20 mg/kg t.i.d. of tetrandrine, respectively. The maximum inflammati on induced by endotoxin was suppressed to 56.5% and 38.0% by 5 mg/kg a nd 10 mg/kg t.i.d. of tetrandrine, respectively. The mechanism of tetr andrine's anti-inflammation could involve numerous pathways of inflamm ation processes and multiple inflammatory mediators. The results of th is study indicate that tetrandrine appears to be a broad spectrum, non -steroidal, novel ocular anti-inflammatory agent.