Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) play key roles in bronchial asthma. Sodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and dexamethasone (Dex) are used in the treatment of asthma as anti-inflammatory agents. We investigated whether DSCG inhibited the expression of IL-5 and TNF-α mRNA and proteins from isolated human lungs, and compared these findings with those of Dex. Human lung specimens were passively sensitized with sera from atopic patients, then preincubated in the presence of DSCG (10 −3 , 10 −4 , 10 −5 M) or Dex (10 −6 M) for 2 hours. The specimens were stimulated with Dermatophagoides antigen, then cultured for 48 hours. The supernatant was collected 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours to measure IL-5 and TNF-α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tumor necrosis factor-α protein reached a peak level at 4 hours (156.57 ± 18.29 pg/mL). Dex decreased TNF-α protein to 31.86 ± 4.67 pg/mL (P < .001). There was also a decrease of TNF-α protein to 107.43 ± 14.25 pg/mL by 10 −4 MD SCG (P < .001). Antigenic stimulation also increased the release of IL-5 protein at 4 hours and the peak level was observed at 24 hours (150.29 ± 19.12 pg/mL). Dex decreased IL-5 protein to 28.57 ± 5.27 pg/mL (P < .0001), 10 −4 M DSCG also decreased to 111.57 ± 15.28 pg/mL (P < .05). RT-PCR analysis showed persistence of IL-5 and TNF-α mRNA expression from 1 to 24 hour after antigen stimulation. Dex but not DSCG inhibited IL-5 and TNF-α mRNA levels. Our results showed that DSCG significantly inhibited IL-5 and TNF-α production by human lung specimens, suggesting that it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.