Objective: To observe the effect of Chenyuan ointment rubbing on the serum levels of nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) of rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore its anti-inflammatory effect. Method: Totally 52 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group (group A)

model group (group B)

Chenyuan ointment group (group C

2 g/rat) and manipulation control group (group D

Vaseline

2 g/rat)

with 13 rats in each group. KOA model was induced by closed-plaster method

except for the normal group. Eight weeks after fixation

groups A and B were given no intervention

the rats in groups C and D were given Chenyuan ointment with manipulation and vaseline with manipulation once a day. After 8 weeks

HE staining was adopted to observe the pathological changes of articular cartilage in each group and Mankin score and detect the serum levels of NO and PGE2. Result: Compared with group A

group B showed significantly higher mankin score and serum NO and PGE2 (P<0.01) and lower lower limb circumference and knee joint activity (P<0.01). Groups C and D showed lower mankin score and the serum levels of NO and PGE2 than that of group B (P<0.01). Specifically

group C showed the lower serum levels of NO and PGE2 (P<0.05). After the treatment

limb circumference and activity of knee joint of rats were significantly improved in groups C and D (P<0.01)

particularly group C were improved more greatly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Chenyuan ointment rubbing can reduce the concentration level of NO and PGE2 in serum of KOA rats

and better improve muscle strength of lower limbs and activity of knee joint. Moreover

it has a ertain effect in reducing joint inflammation.