Objective: To investigate the effects of Puerarin lobata extract on matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) in rats with cervical disc degeneration. Method: Firstly

we optimized extraction method of puerarin and determined the optimum extraction process.Secondly

we established the imbalance model of dynamic and static force of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.The eligible rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (28 rats in each group):the three groups administered with extract of P. lobata at low

moderate and high doses (1.4

2.8

5.6 g ·kg-1 ·d-1)respectively

false operation group

model group

and the control group administered with Jingfukang granule(0.7 g ·kg-1 ·d-1). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of giving medicine respectively

take 6 specimens in each group

and observe its feature of the degeneration cervical intervertebral disc by using HE dyeing. The others were taken to measure MMP-3 and TGF-β1 contents of the degeneration cervical intervertebral disc in each group. Result: Morphological observation shows

the treatment group

compared with model group

fiber morphological structure was relatively complete

annulus fibrosus was in regular arrangement

the nucleus pulposus was comparative full

endplate vascular congestion conditions were improved. Eight weeks treatment was more effective than that of 4 weeks. Model group MMP-3 was increased significantly

TGF-β1 content was remarkable lower. Compared with saline group

the three groups administered with extract of P. lobata at low

moderate and high doses showed significant effects on reducing the content of MMP-3 and increasing the content of TGF-β1. As the treatment time increased

this effect tended to increase. The moderate dose and high dose(2.8

5.6 g ·kg-1·d-1) showed no significant difference in reducing the content of MMP-3 and increasing the content of TGF-β1. Conclusion: P. lobata extract can turn up the TGF-β1 and turn down MMP-3 content of the Extracellular matrix. It is possibly reason sible for palliativing the cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.