Abstract:Objective：To investigate the immunoregulation of triptolide on inflammatory mediators of septic rats. Methods：Ninety SD rats were randomly allocated into three groups: sham operation group (group A), sepsis group (group B)and treatment group with triptolide (group C). There were 30 rats in each group. In group A rats, the abdomen was opened without any other treatment. Sepsis rat model was induced by exposure of caecum and puncturing it,then the abdomen was closed. In group C, triptolide (0.05mg/mL)was given by intraperitoneal injection(0.2mg/kg,Q8h) after ceacum punctured. The rats were killed at 6h,12h and 24h after operation. Then serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β were determined at the three time periods(10 rats for each time period). Tissues from liver and kidney were obtained to observe the changes under microscope and electron microscope. Results：There was no difference between levels of inflammatory mediators at the three time periods in group A, and the functional and morphologic changes of liver and kidney were not significant. Levels of inflammatory mediators were significantly higher in group B and C than those in group A. Pathological changes in liver and kidney were milder in group C than those in group B. Conclusions：Triptolide can lead to down-regulation of levels of inflammatory mediators, exert a modulatory efect on immune balance and alleviate pathological damage of liver and kidney in septic rats.