OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of action on compatible using of total alkaloids of Radix Aconiti Praeparata and total glycosides or polysaccharides of Radix Paeoniae Alba therapy on rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

METHODThe rat models of rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness syndrome were treated with total alkaloids of Radix Aconiti Praeparata and total glycosides or polysaccharides of Radix Paeoniae Alba. Observed the contents of hypothalamic L-ENK, hypothalamic-END, plasmatic SP, serumal IgG, serumal cell factors (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10) by radioimmunity method and ultrastructural change of synovial cell in electron microscope.

RESULTTotal alkaloids of Radix Aconiti Praeparata and total glycosides or polysaccharides of Radix Paeoniae Alba could relieve arthrocele and arthralgia and elevate the contents of L-ENK, beta-END, IL-2 and degrade the contents of SP, IgG, IL-1beta, IL-6 and inhibit abnormal secretion accentuation of synovial cell like fiber.

CONCLUSIONTotal alkaloids of Radix Aconiti Praeparata and total glycosides or polysaccharides of Radix Paeoniae Alba could be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness syndrome. The mechanism of action might be that the contents of center endogenous opioid peptides had increased, the synthesis and release of SP had been inhibited, the disturbance of serumal cell factor had been adjusted, and the synthesis and secretion of serum immune globulin and abnormal secretion accentuation of synovial cell had been inhibited.