A considerable number of Chinese medicinal herbs have been found to be anti-inflammatory upon screening for the inhibition of acute inflammation and allergic reaction, and for the suppression of adjuvant arthritis. Most of this research has been published exclusively in Japanese, and consequently is little known internationally. In this review, we will introduce the most recent conclusions drawn from current pharmacological research on the anti-inflammatory action of various Chinese medicinal herbs being undertaken in Japan. Due to limitations of space, we mention only herbs showing anti-inflammatory activity in vivo when administered intra-orally, and having low toxicity. We will also introduce some popular Chinese medical prescriptions used in the treatment of arthritis, hepatitis and nephritis and attempt to explain their anti-inflammatory action resulting from the synergistic action of the herbs contained in these prescriptions. All references cited in this review were either written originally in English or have an English abstract.
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