Objective: To observe the effect of oral and fumigation-washing administration of Juanbi decoction on active stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with cold dampness syndrome and investigate its effect on levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in serum and synovial fluid. Method: One hundred and twenty RA patients were randomly divided into control group and treatment group by random number table

n=60 in each group. Patients in both groups were treated with non-drug therapy referring to Guidelines on Diagnosis and Treatment of RA. Patients in control group were also treated with methotrexate tablets (10 mg/time

1 time/week) and leflunomide tablets (10 mg/time and 1 time/day). Based on the treatment of control group

patients in treatment group were also given with oral and fumigation-washing administration of Juanbi decoction

1dose/d and tid for oral

plus fumigation-washing

2 times/d and 30 min/time. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Scores of Chinese medicine clinical symptoms and levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

rheumatoid factors (RF) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were compared between two groups. Levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels in serum and synovial fluid were detected. Result: The total rate was 96.67% in treatment group

significantly higher than 83.33% in control group (P<0.05). After 12 weeks' treatment

scores of Chinese medicine clinical symptoms in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01). After treatment

ESR

RF

and CRP levels as well as MMP-3 level in serum and synovial fluid in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group

while TIMP-1 level was significantly higher than that in control group

with statistical difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on routine western medicine treatment

oral and fumigation-washing administration of Juanbi decoction for active stage RA with cold dampness syndrome could obviously improve clinical symptoms

decrease ESR

RF

and CRP levels

and elevate clinical efficacy. Its action mechanism may be associated with down-regulation of MMP-3 and up-regulation of TIMP-1 in serum and synovial fluid.