Objective: To observer the therapeutic effect of Gegen Qinlian Wutan decoction on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

interleukin-6(IL-6) and interleukin-8(IL-8) in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). Method: Sixty cases with ulcerative colitis were divided into the treatment group and the control randomly. The treatment group was given Gegen Qinlian Wutan decoction by oral administration. The control group was given Sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets. TNF-α

IL-6 and IL-8 in serum were detected by ELISA for all patients before and after treatment

and compared with 30 healthy volunteers. Result: Creative effects in the treatment was obviously better than in the control group

the difference was significant (P＜0.05). After treatment

compared with the control group

the treatment group had the lower plasma levels of TNF-α

IL-6 and IL-8 (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Gegen Qinlian Wutan decoction has obvious effect on ulcerative colitis. The down regulation of the expressions of TNF-α

IL-6 and IL-8 in serum may be one of the therapeutic mechanism.