Objective:To study the effects of FuYuan capsule on articular cartilage degradation and expression of interleukin beta 1 and transforming growth factor beta 2 in osteoarthritis(OA).Methods:Fifty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits received unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transaction(ACTL)to establish model of OA.One week after operation they were randomly divided into 4 groups

named as model control group and FuYuan capsule low

moderate and high dose groups with 12 rabbits in each group.The other 6 rabbits divided into normal control and model control group were given physiological saline.Treatment groups were perfused with FuYuan capsule(727mg/kg、1453mg/kg、4795mg/kg)once a day for 4

8 and 12 weeks.Samples of joint were collected at the 4th

8th

and 12th week after managements for general

light microscopic and electron microcope observation

and the distribution of IL-1βand TGFβ2 of cartilage was documented by immunohistochemistry.Cartilage of medial femoral condyles and tibial plateau at the margin of lesion nearby were obtained and mRNA expression of TGFβ2 was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results:Cartilage degeneration in FuYuan capsule group was significantly slighter than that in model control group.The levels of IL-1β in treatment groups were lower significantly than those in model control group(P<0.05)

expecially in high dose treatment group.The expression of TGFβ2 in treatment groups were significantly higher than those in model control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:FuYuan capsule can significantly reduce the expression of IL-1βin cartilage and induce the expression of protein and mRNA of TGFβ2.FuYuan capsule can regulate the balance between IL-1βand TGFβ2.It can prevent cartilage from degeneration.