Our study shows that EC extract has inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 in hFLSs. IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 mRNA expression is suppressed at a low dasage (1㎍/ml) of EC extract. TNF-α was also suppressed at higher dosages (10 ㎍/ml, 100㎍/ml). EC extract also inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production in pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulated-hFLSs. Expecially IL-1β(p<0.05) production are suppressed significantly. On the other hand, EC extract did not show any cytotoxicity. Thses data suggest that EC extract has anti-inflammatory effect mostly by inhibiting IL-1β production, and thus could be used to prevent or treat some inflammatory disease such as RA. It remains to be known what are the major components responsible for anti-inflammatory effect and what is the main mechanism.