OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Zhuyeshigao granule(ZSG) on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1(IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in rats with radiation esophagitis.METHODS: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups(10 rats in each group): control(without radiation), saline-treated, and low,medium, and high-dose ISG-treated groups. Rats were given normal saline(10 mL/kg) or 1.15, 2.3,or 4.6 g/kg ZSG by intragastric administration once a day for 7 days. A rat model of radiation esophagitis was established by local irradiation of Co60(490.25 cGy/min, totaling 30 Gy). The administration of ZSG was continued for another 7 days and on the 7th day post-irradiation, inferior vena cava blood was collected.The serum was separated, and TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 protein levels were determined.RESULTS: Inflammatory response factors were found in the serum of each group. However, levels in ZSG-treated groups were significantly lower than inthesaline-treatedgroup(P