The present invention is based on the finding that peptides derived from a specific domain of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-.alpha.) can efficiently be used to treat oedema. More specifically, the present invention relates to the usage of peptides derived from the region of human TNF-.alpha. from Ser.sup.100 to Glu.sup.116 to treat pulmonary oedema. For example, the circularized peptide having amino acid sequence CGQRETPEGAEAKPWYC is shown to be very efficient in inducing oedema resorption.