OBJECTIVE: To probe into the treatment effects of compound Baihu Ddecoction on rats with rheumatoid arthritis of wind-cold-damp bi syndrome. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group

the wind-cold-damp bi syndrome group and the compound Baihu decoction group

with 20 rats in each group.The rat model of rheumatic arthritis of wind-cold-damp bi syndrome was prepared

the rats from compound Baihu decoction group were treated with compound Baihu decoction. The general conditions of rats were observed

the onset time and incidence were recorded. The thickness of left hind paw of rats was measured

arthritis was evaluated by Arthritis index（ AI） scale. The levels of serum inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor α（ TNF-α）

interleukin1β（ IL-1β） and interleukin 6（ IL-6） ]and immune indexes [rheumatoid factor（ RF）

anti-cyclic citrulline peptide（ Anti-CCP） antibody

and C-reactive protein（ CRP） ]were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the wind-cold-damp bi syndrome group

the compound Baihu decoction group had longer onset time and lower incidence rate

and the differences were statistically significant（ P < 0. 05）. After modeling of 9 d

with the extension of modeling time

the swelling value and AI index of rats in the wind-cold-damp bi syndrome group increased

and reached the maximum value after modeling of 18 d. After modeling of 0

6

9

12

18

24 and 30 d

the swelling value of rats in the compound Baihu decoction group were significantly lower than those in the wind-cold-damp bi syndrome group

with statistically significant difference（ P < 0. 05）. After 9

12

18

24 and 30 days

AI index of rats in compound Baihu decoction group was significantly lower than that in wind-cold-damp bi syndrome group

with statistically significant difference（ P < 0. 05）. After the experiment

the levels of TNF-α

IL-1β

IL-6

RF

Anti-CCP antibodies and CRP in the compound Baihu decoction group and the blank control group were significantly lower than those of the windcold-damp bi syndrome group

and the differences were statistically significant（ P < 0. 05）. CONCLUSIONS:Compound Baihu decoction can effectively prolong the onset time and reduce the incidence rate of rats with rheumatoid arthritis of wind-cold-damp bi syndrome. Meanwhile

the pathological changes of ankle joint may be inhibited by relieving the inflammatory response

regulating the immune function and improving the symptoms of joint swelling.