The Scutellaria laterifolia sp. is much utilised in the ethnomedicine of the Middle East for the anti-inflammatory - antirheumatic and antiulcer activities. In previous investigations it was evidenced an appreciable anti-inflammatory activity of total dichlormethanic extract from this plant over the rat's paw inflammatory edema experimentally induced by carrageenan [1] .

As a result it was investigated the antiarthritic (antirheumatic) activity of total dichlormethanic extract from Scutellaria laterifolia (EDSL - T) on Freund's adjuvant arthritis evaluated by the method of multiparametric analysis [2] .

Thus, groups of 8 Wistar albino rats (140-200 g) which an arthritis was induced by intraplantar injection of Fruend's adjuvant (Difco), were treated p.o. daily 18 days with EDSL-T in doses of 700 - 1300 mg/kg, as reference substances being indometacin 1,5 mg/kg and acetylsalicylic acid 150 mg/kg. As part of pharmacological multiparameter analysis were evaluated: primary and secondary paw inflammation, arthritic index, body weight, and relative thymus and spleen weight.

The analysis of obtained data inclusively by the synoptic parametric evaluation system "spider scheme" [2], showed that, in contrast with the reference substances, the total dichlormethanic extract from Scutellaria laterifolia (EDSL-T), presented an antiinflammatoty activity, inhibiting the primary and secondary inflammation of the paws, as well as an immunomodulatory type activity improving rigorous the parameters in connection with the autoimmune response (arthritic index, relative thymus and spleen weight).In comparison with the literature data, EDSL-T was similar to cyclosporin A, the most efficient drug in preventing the autoimmune response inherent in Freund's adjuvant arthritis, reflecting his potential therapeutic activity in severe autoimmune - driven inflammatory disease from human clinic (rheumatoid arthritis).