Objective: To study effect of total alkaloids in water extraction from Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix S.Moore(STRM) on the collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in order to further explore the anti-rheumatism effects of alkaloidthe water-soluble alkaloids with big polarity. Method: The 732 type cation resin was used to enrich total alkaloid in water extraction from STRM. Rat CIA model was established by injection of bovine Ⅱ collagen type on toes

tail and backside in rats. After 7 days same injection was performed. Alkaloids high

middle

low dose(0.162

0.324

0.486 g · kg-1)

Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (1.5 mg ·kg-1) and dexamethasone (10.8 mg · kg-1) were administrated for 21 days. The arthritis index(AI) and toes swelling degree were observed

the level of interleukin-1(IL-1)

interleukin-1β(IL-1β)

interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in serum were assayed and the ankle tissue pathological changes were observed. Result: Compared with normal group

AI in model group and toes swelling degree significantly increased(P <0.01).Compared with model group

high

middle

low dose group of total alkaloid in water extraction from STRM could improve AI and toes swelling degree

and significantly decrease the level of IL-1

IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α (P <0.01) in serum

and reduce the pathological synovial tissue damage. Conclusion: Total alkaloid in water extraction from STRM has certain therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis

and can significantly decrease the level of inflammatory factors.