Objective:To explore the effects and mechanisms of Si-miao Decoction on gouty arthritis induced by MSU in rabbits.Methods:Si-miao Decoction and colchicine were orally administrated for 7 or 4 days.Acute gouty arthritis model of rabbits was induced by MSU suspension intraarticular injection.After MSU injection for 5 hours

synovia of each rabbit was collected to do leukocyte count.Meanwhile

relevant cytokines levels in synovia of each group were measured.Histopathologic examination of knee joint and surrounding soft tissue of each rabbit was also performed.Results:Si-miao Decoction 12 g·kg-1 and 6 g·kg-1 could significantly decrease the leukocyte quantity and the levels of TNF-α

PGE2

IL-1β and IL-8 in synovia of model rabbits

as well as ameliorating edema and inflammatory cell and inflammatory cell infiltration in knee joint of model rabbits.Conclusions:Si-maio Decoction could obviously alleviate symptoms of acute gouty arthritis induced by MSU in rabbits.Mechanisms may lie in inhibiting leukocyte activation

chemotaxis

and decreasing cytokines levels in synovia.