·AIM:To investigate the ability of Thymosin β4(Tβ4)to promote healing in an alkali injury model in vivo and the mechanisms involved in that process which Tβ4 may be a potential anti-inflammation agent in this model.·METHODS:Corneas of the New-Zealand Rabbit were chemically burned with a 6mm disc soaked in 1mol/L NaOH for 30 seconds.Eyes were irrigated copiously with saline and then treated topically with PBS(Negative control group),rh-EGF(jinyinshu drop,Positive control group),and Tβ4(0.1,1,10μg/50μL)twice daily.At the time point of 1 day,3,7,14 days postburn,the healing rate of the cornea were examined and MMP-2,TIMP-2,VEGF immunostaining performed.·RESULTS:Tβ4-treated corneas demonstrated improved cornea healing rate of 33.8% vs PBS-treated corneas of 22.8%(P<0.01),1μg/50μL Tβ4 seemed to be the best dosage.Whereas immunohistochemistry result suggested that Tβ4 decreased corneal NF-κB expression(P<0.01)after alkali injury,no change in IL(interleukin)-1β was detected(P>0.05).The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)result suggested that there’s a significant decrease to the NF-κB protein levels(P<0.01).·CONCLUSION:Tβ4 treatment decreases corneal inflammation and inhibits the expression of NF-κB to improve cornea healing.The result have important clinical implications for the potential role of Tβ4 as a corneal anti-inflammatory agent.·