Objective: To study on total polysaccharides in Taraxaci Herba and its in vitro anti-inflammatory activity for screening active ingredient of anti-inflammatory. Method: Water extract-alcohol precipitation method was adopted to gain total polysaccharides in Taraxaci Herba (TMP)

and then it was purified by DEAE cellulose column to get three parts of TMP (TMP-0

TMP-1

TMP-2). Anti-inflammatory activity of TMP on RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS was investigated. Result: TMP can significantly reduce the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors [cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)] in RAW264.7 cells with a dose-dependent manner. The two fractions

TMP-0 and TMP-1

can significantly reduce the mRNA of these above inflammatory factors

they showed a good in vitro anti-inflammatory activity

while the anti-inflammatory effect of TMP-2 at low and middle doses was not obvious. Conclusion: TMP has a strong anti-inflammatory activity

and its main active fractions are TMP-0 and TMP-1.