Celastrol attenuated demyelination and inflammatory infiltration in spinal cord. Celastrol also attenuated optic neuritis by inhibiting cytokines and microgliosis production, expression of iNOS and activation of NF-κB in optic nerve, and attenuating ganglion cells apoptosis in the retina of EAE rats. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is optic neuritis.