Objective: To investigate the effect of Simiao prescription on cartilage matrix of rat osteoarthritis

as well as to explore their mechanism of prevention and treatment for osteoarthritis(OA). Method: Eighty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group

model group

Simiao prescription low

moderate and high does group

glucosamine sulfate group(n=14). Except the sham group

underwent surgical destabilization (anterior cruciate ligament transection and partial medial meniscectomy) of the right knee to induce OA. The sham group and model group were fed with saline

glucosamine sulfate group were fed with glucosamine sulfate and others with Simiao prescription. After 6 weeks

using blood obtained from the abdominal aorta

and then measured the C-terminal peptide of collagen typeⅡand Collagen typeⅡC-propeptide

and then rat right femoral were removed.Sections of the articular cartilage were stained with HE

to observe cartilage damage

Toluidine blue stain

collagenⅡimmunohistochemistry stain was performed to assess the contents of proteoglycan and collagenⅡ. Result: Compared with the sham group

thinning of the cartilage surface of the model group

the cartilage cells decreased significantly and Mankin's score significantly higher

toluidine blue stain

collagen Ⅱ immunohistochemistry stain indicated that there was proteoglycan and collagen Ⅱ loss in the model group. The serum CTXⅡ was significantly increased

CPⅡ significantly decreased.Compared with model group

Simiao prescription can significantly reduce the Mankin's score

increase proteoglycan and type Ⅱ collagen content

lower levels of CTXⅡ raise CPⅡ. Conclusion: Simiao prescription can effectively reduce articular matrix destruction of experimental rat osteoarthritis

the metabolism may be related with inhibition of the main component of cartilage matrix

regulation of typeⅡcollagen synthesis and degradationmarkers.