Abstract: Objective To study the effect of β-aescine sodium on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in patient with severe traumatic brain injury and the clinical significance. Methods 60 patients with severe traumatic brain injury were divided equally into control group (n=30) and treatment group (n=30), who accepted routine therapy and further β-aescine sodium respectively. The serum TNF-α was determined before and 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d after treatment. The patients were assessed with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 3 months after treatment.Results There was significant difference of serum TNF-α between treatment group and control group since 3 d after treatment (P<0.05). The score of GOS was better in the treatment group than in the control group 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion β-aescine sodium is effective on severe traumatic brain injury. Level of TNF-α may be related with the outcome of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Key words: β-aescine sodium, severe traumatic brain injury, tumor necrosis factor α