Abstract: Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Jingzhui Kangfu pills against proteoglycan-induced osteoarthritis in mice and to provide data for increasing the indications and clinical applications of this drug. Methods Balb/c mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, high dose(6, 3 g·kg^-1·d^-1) group and low dose group. All the mice (except the normal group) were intraperitoneally injected with 0.2 mL DDA adjuvant (containing 100μg proteoglycan) to establish a model. The normal group was given 0.2 mL normal saline. After initial immunization, arthritis was assessed and weight was monitored every 2 weeks until the 14^th week. The histopathologic morphology of joints was observed via HE staining and Safranine O-Fast Green staining. Levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-17A were determined by ELISA. Results Jingzhui Kangfu pills could significantly mitigate osteoarthritis in mice, and lower the score of arthritics and degree of swelling. Under microscopic observation, Jingzhui Kangfu pills could protect the joint tissue of mice and reduce inflammatory infiltration and significantly reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-17A. Conclusion Jingzhui Kangfu pills can improve proteoglycan-induced osteoarthritis in mice.

Key words: Jingzhui Kangfu pills, osteoarthritis, inflammatory factors, proteoglycan, traditional Chinese medicine compound, mice, efficacy