Objective: To observe influence of Jintiange capsules (JC) on articular cartilage lesions and osteoarthritis induced by papain in rats. Method: Adult male SD rats were divided into sham operated group

model group

Xianling Gubao (XG) group(0.80 g·kg-1)

JC high

medium and low (0.96

0.48

0.24 g·kg-1) dose groups.The bilateral knee joint cavities were injected with papain 20 μL to induce osteoarthritis.Three weeks after the establishment of the models

different drugs were lavaged for 4 weeks.Then the rats were sacrificed and the knee joint cartilage was collected.Pathological section and microscopic observation were carried out for evaluating joint cartilage lesions. Result: Articular cartilage in model group showed thin rough surface

fiber fracture

tide line disappear

cell arrangement disorder

cell clusters

part of the joint synovial hyperplasia and finger-shaped bulge towards the joint cavity.JC of 3 doses showed different degree of alleviation for the pathological changes. Conclusion: JC can repair the damage of cartilage surface of articular cartilage with protective role.