The Action Mechanism Of Quyuhuatan Decoction In Pathogenesis Of Cartilage Degeneration Of Osteoarthritis

Objective: To study the effect of Quyuhuatan decoction on the cartilage degeneration of experimental osteoarthritis and to explore the action mechanism with Traditional Chinese Medicine theories. Methods: The experimental osteoarthritis were duplicated by intro-articularly applied papain in rabbits. After treating with Quyuhuatang decoction for 8 weeks, the pathological changes of articular cartilage were observed under light microscope and scanning electron microscope, and the chondrocyte apoptosis, content of NO and NOS in cartilage and content of HA in cartilage and synovia were also measured respectively. Results: After treating with Quyuhuatan decoction, the histological changes of cartilage of model rabbits were relieved, the apoptosis index of chondrocyte and NOS content in cartilage were decreased and HA content in synovia were increased. Conclusion: Quyuhuatan decoction could relieve the pathological changes of cartilage of experimental osteoarthritis in rabbits, and the action may be caused by two approaches, which the first is decreasing the excessive apoptosis of chondrocyte by reducing NO level and the second is increasing the HA level in synovia.