Depletion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in mice by Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.

The effect of the water soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (NAT) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level in plasma of arthritic and soluble protein A (SpA)-treated Balb/c mice has been studied. Oral administration of this fraction in arthritic mice showed a consistent depletion of TNF-alpha from the host plasma. A similar depletion of TNF-alpha in the plasma of SpA-treated mice has been observed. The extract also reduces plasma interferon-gamma level but the plasma IgM and IgG levels are not affected. The implications of these observations are discussed in the light of management of TNF-alpha in clinical disorders.