Objective: To observe the anti-arthritic effects and the possible molecular mechanism of Periploca forrestii against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method: After establishing Freund’s adjurant arthritis (AA) rat model

the P. forrestii’s anti-arthritic effects and molecular mechanism against RA were studied through observing the changes of paw swelling

body weight

viscera index and levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β)

interleukin 6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) after medication. Result: P. forrestii could effectively inhibits articular swelling

decrease thymus index and regulate down the content of IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum and inflammatory tissue soak of AA rats. After 12 days

there were significant differences (P<0.01) in paw swelling of AA rat between P. forrestii group and model group; the thymus index of model group was 1.50%

and P. forrestii group was 1.12%

there were significant difference between the two (P<0.01); the content of IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and inflammatory tissue fluid all reduced in P. forrestii group

they were significant (P<0.05) compared with model. Conclusion: P. forrestii has good anti-arthritic effects and the possible mechanism may be related to its down regulation of IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α.