Objective To investgute the effect of lO-Hydrocamptothecin (HCPT) on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats, and to explore the potential value of it in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Methods After the model of CIA was established ,the rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, CIA model group, MTX treatment group, high dose HCPT treatment group and low dose HCPT treatment group. The synovium was examined with regular HE stain and the apoptosis of synoviocytes was detected with TUNEL All these pathological changes were evaluated. In addition, the change of articular volume was measured,and the serum TNF-α and IL-1β level was also measured at different time point. The results were analyzed by the statistical software SPSS 11.5. Results Comparing to CIA model group, both MTX and HCPT group could improve patients' general condition, alleviate joint swelling, inhibit proliferation of synoviocytes, induce apoptosis of synoviocyte and decrease the plasma level of TNF-α, IL-1β (P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference could be found between the MTX and HCPT group (P>0.05). Conclusion HCPT has the potential value in the treatment of RA.