OBJECTIVE: To study non-specific anti-inflammation effects of tulobuterol in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: By setting up blank control, MTT colorimetry was used to observe the effects of tulobuterol on the proliferation of primary mice peritoneal macrophages; the effects of tulobuterol on NO release in primary macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were detected by Griess; the effects of tulobuterol on the generation of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17A in primary macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were determined by ELISA. Meanwhile, by setting up model group, the effects of Tulobuterol patch for local use on ear swelling degree and inhibitory rate of ear swelling in soybean oil induced ear inflammation model mice were observed as well as its effects on ear swelling degree, inhibitory rate of ear swelling and body weight, organ mass index of thymus gland and spleen in 1% 2
4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced delayedtype hypersensitivity (DTH) model mice. RESULTS: Compared with blank control, tulobuterol (1×10-4-1×10-3 μmol/L) had not significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of primal macrophages (IC50=13.67×10-4 mol/L) and generation of IL-17A, but significantly inhibited the generation of NO (IC50=5.45×10-4 mol/L) and inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group, ear swelling degree of ear inflammation model mice and DTH model mice relieved significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while inhibitory rate of ear swelling increased and body weight, mass index of thymus gland and spleen had no significant change after receiving Tulobuterol patch for local use. CONCLUSIONS: Tulobuterol shows a certain anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo.