Objective: To explore the effects of total saponin of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma(RDN) on in vitro apoptosis of rIL-1β induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS)

and further to investigate the PI3K/AKT signal mechanism. Method: FLS were primarily cultured. Model group: 10 μg·L-1 rIL-1β

RDN group: 10 μg·L-1 rIL-1β and 100 μg·L-1 RDN. Western blot method was applied to examine the expression of p-PI3K protein and p-AKT protein degradation in rIL-1β induced FLS stimulated with total saponin of RDN. Result: Compared to control group

expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT protein increased in model group

respectively 162.66±2.34 and 157.03±1.84(P＜0.05)

total saponin of RDN inhibited rIL-1β induced phosphorylation of AKT and PI3K in FLS

respectively 67.84±1.24 and 71.66±1.20 (P＜0.01). Conclusion: Total saponin of RDN can inhibit FLS PI3K/AKT signal pathway. Total saponin of RDN may provide a new therapeutic approach in treatment of gouty arthritis.