Effect of compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection on the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection in treating ankylosing spondylitis.Methods Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) derived from vein blood of healthy volunteer were divided into five groups and were respectively treated with normal saline,large dose of compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection,moderate dose salvia miltiorrhiza injection,low dose salvia miltiorrhiza injection and dexamethasone repectively fore for 48 h.The level of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in supernatant were determined by radioimmunity.Results The levels of TNF-α in supernatant from large dose compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection group and dexamethasone group were significantly lower than that from normal saline group(P0.05).The level of TNF-α in supernatant from large dose compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection group was significantly lower than those from moderate dose salvia miltiorrhiza injection group and low dose salvia miltiorrhiza injection group.Conclusion Inhibition of TNF-α secretion from human PBMCs may be one of mechanisms of compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection in treating ankylosing spondylitis.