Objective: To study the therapeutic effects of the combination of ibuprofen and dihydroartemisinin on rheumatoid arthritis in rats

and to explore the compatible mechanism of the drugs. Method: Standard Sprague Dawley rats with weight of 160-180 g were randomly divided into 7 groups

including normal group

adjuvant arthritis (AA) model group

methotrexate group

Compatibility high-dose group

Compatibility low-dose group

ibuprofen group

dihydroartemisinine group. We detected T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry

and measured the levels of INF-γ and IL-4 in serum by ELISA for AA animal model treated by drugs. Result: The combination group could significantly reduced the percentage of CD+ 4 T cells and CD+4 T/ CD+8T ratio in the peripheral blood lymphocytes cells

reduce INF-γ and improve IL-4 in serum. Compared with the ibuprofen group

dihydroartemisinin could significantly improve IL-4 (P<0.01). The combination of the drugs could more effectively delay the joint injury of the model rats compared with those given individual drug. Conclusion: The combination of ibuprofen with dihydroartemisinin can suppress proliferation of CD4 + T cells

and promote the Th1/Th2 shift towards the Th2 cytokine response

and can complement

thus enhancing the therapeutic effect for arthritis.