Abstract: Objective:To discuss the influence of Tongfengning Capsule(TFN)in the rats with acute gouty arthritis,and to clarify the curative effect and mechanism of TFN in the acute gouty arthritis rats. Methods: The rat model of acute gouty arthritis was induced by injection of microcrystal sodium urate solution into articular cavity of the ankle joint.A total of 48 mice were divided into blank control group,model group,low(100 mg·kg^-1),middle(200 mg·kg^-1)and high(550 mg·kg^-1)doses of TFN groups,colchicine (0.63 mg·kg^-1) positive drug control group; 8 rats in each group.The degrees of joint swelling of the rats were monitored at different time after modeling.The number of white blood cells(WBC),lymphocytes and neutrophils in the whole blood of the rats in various groups were detected,and the nitric oxide(NO)levels in the serum and homogenate as well as serum uricacid(UA)were detected.The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the soft tissue and synovial fluid around the ankle joint of the rats in various groups were measured. Results: Compared with model group,the swelling degrees of ankle joint of the rats in positive drug control group and high dose of TFN group were significantly decreased in 0-8 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01),especially in 4 h(P<0.01);but there were no significant differences in low and medium doses of TFN groups (P>0.05).Compared with model group,the levels of WBC,lymphocytes and neutrophils in the blood of the rats in positive drug control group and TFN groups were decreased,especially in high dose of TFN group (P<0.05).The UA levels in serum of the rats in positive drug control group and high dose of TFN group were significantly lower than that in model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the levels of serum NO was increased (P<0.05);but there were no significant differences in low and medium doses of TFN groups(P<0.05).The levels of NO,IL-1β and TNF-α in soft tissue and synovial fluid of the rats in positive drug control group and high dose of TFN group were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05 or P< 0.01);but there were no significant differences in low and medium doses of TFN groups(P<0.05). Conclusion: TFN has a remarkable effect in the treatment of gouty arthritis,and this effect may be associated with inhibiting the inflammatory reactions.

Key words: sodium urate, inflammatory reactions, Tongfengning Capsule, gouty arthritis