Objective:To observe the effects of fuyuan capsule on change of morphology of synovium

expression of IL-1β、MMP-13 and iNOS in synovium in experimental osteoarthritis of rabbits

and investigate the mechanism about the reparation and treatment of fuyuan capsule.Methods:Sixty New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups randomly:normol group

model contrast group

low dose group

middle dose group and high dose group of fuyuan capsule.OA model was induced in rabbits by improved Hulth’S method.Three Chinese herb groups were treated with fuyuan capsule(0.727

1.453

4.795 g(/kg·d))

continuously for 4

8 weeks and 12 weeks

model contrast group was treated with 0.9%NS

ig

at the same time.Synovium sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the IL-1β

MMP-13 and iNOS

observation and measurement of the change of morphology of synovium by light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic.After the experiment

the differences of these indexes between Three Chinese herb groups and model contrast group were compared.Results:There are found significant differences about measurement of morphology of synovium between Three Chinese herb groups and model contrast group after the experiment(P<0.05)

especially high and middle dosage of fuyuan capsule group(P<0.01).It is the same as the comparison of the expression of IL-1β

MMP-13 and iNOS.Conclusion:Fuyuan capsule can improve the pathological change of morphology of synovium

and decrease the expression of IL-1β

MMP-13 and iNOS in synovium in experimental osteoarthritis of rabbit.There was therapeutical effect on synovium in experimental osteoarthritis of rabbit.