Abstract: AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of esculentoside A, a kind of saponin isolated from the root of the Chinese herb Phytolaca esculenta, on passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) in rats. METHODS: PHN was prepared by injecting Fx1A antibody in rats, and esculentoside A 5, 10 and 20 mg.kg^-1 were administered intraperitonealy once a day for 14 consecutive days for the treatment of PHN rats. RESULTS: Esculentoside A 5, 10 and 20 mg.kg^-1 decreased urine protein production significantly. Pathological analysis revealed that deposits of IgG along the capillary wall of the glomerulus, glomerulus base membrane thickness and electron-dense deposits in PHN rats after treatment with esculentoside A were less than those in control rats. Decreased levels of TNF, IL^-1 and IL-6 were observed in the sera of PHN rats following esculentoside A administration. TNF, IL^-1 and IL-6 are important cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lesions. CONCLUSION: Esculentoside A possessed potent anti-inflammatory effects on PHN. Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production may partially explain the anti-inflammatory effects of esculentoside A.