Objective: To observe the effects of Rupeng 15 powder(RPP15) on cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)

prostaglandin E2(PGE2) protein and mRNA expression levels in the knee joint fluid and synovium tissues

and explore the therapeutic mechanism of RPP15 in rats with monosodiu murate(MSU)crystals-induced gouty arthritis. Method: The rats were dividied into normal group

model group

RPP15 low-dose

middle-dose and high dose groups(0.4

0.8

1.2 g·kg-1)

indomethacin group(3 mg·kg-1). The normal group and model group were ig administered with normal saline;various treatment groups were ig administered with corresponding doses for continuous 7 days. One hour after the last administering

50μL sterile 1% PBS was injected in bilateral knee joint cavity in normal group

and 50μL MSU was injected in other groups. Twenty-four h after modeling

enzyme linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) method and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method were used to detect COX-2

PGE2 protein and mRNA expression levels in the knee joint fluid and synovium tissues. Result: Data from our study showed that rat with gouty arthritis induced by MSU crystal demonstrated an elevation in COX-2

PGE2 in knee joint fluid and mRNA expression levels in synovium tissues(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

RPP15(0.4

0.8

1.2 g·kg-1) groups and indomethacin group had significantly lower COX-2 and PGE2 protein levels in knee joint fluid COX-2 mRNA level in synovium tissues(P<0.05

P<0.01)

but PGE2 mRNA was no statistically significant difference in synovium tissues. Conclusion: MSU can increase the expression of COX-2 and PGE2 in knee joint fluid and synovium tissues. RPP15 may have the effect on MSU-induced gouty arthritis by decreasing COX-2 expression

COX-2 level and PGE2 level.