To investigate the effects of Sonchus oleraceus water extract on mice antitussive,expectorant and anti-inflammation.Methods:Acute inflammation,xylene induced auricle swelling model and carrageenan induced paw edema model were prepared and divided into normal control group,model group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose I group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose II group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group according to the randomized control method.Each group had 10 mice,and the auricle and paw were intercepted to measure the degree of swelling; Serum samples and tissue fluid were prepared and extracted,and inflammatory factors changes were detected by ELISA.The antitussive effect (cough frequency,latency) of five groups was compared.The trachea phenolsulfonphthalein excretion quantity,and on ear swelling of mice induced by anti-xylene from water extract of Sonchus oleraceus of five groups were compared.The changes of aqueous extract of Sonchus oleraceus of cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2),P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MARK),tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α),and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were compared.Results:Compared with the blank control group,the latent period and the number of coughs were decreased in water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose I group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose II group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group,and model group,but the cough latency and the number of coughs in water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group showed significant difference compared with the blank control group.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the excretion of phenol red was higher in water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose I group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose II group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group and model group,but the excretion of phenol red in water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group was more significant than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Compared with the blank control group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose I group,water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose II group,and water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group reduced the ear swelling of mice caused by xylene,but water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group was more significant.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).In different doses of the aqueous extract of Sonchus oleraceus,the indexes of COX-2,P38MAPK,TNF-α,and IL-6 indices were decreased compared with the blank control group,but the clinical index in water extract of Sonchus oleraceus dose III group was significantly lower than that of the control group.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion:Sonchus oleraceus water extract can inhibit the inflammatory swelling in different degrees.Its protective effect on acute inflammation may be related to the down-regulation of P38MAPK,IL-6,COX-2,TNF-αand other cytokines and inflammatory mediators,as well as the regulation of the body's inflammatory pathways.