Objective To observe the effect of Qufeng Recipe（Recipe for eliminating wind）on adjuvant arthritis（AA）rats and its mechanism.Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into the normal group

model group

hormone group

and Qufeng Recipe group.The AA rat models were established by injecting intracutaneously Freund’s adjuvant 0.05 ml into the right hind-paw.By gastrogavage

the hormone group was given prednisone after modeling

0.25 mg each time

twice a day;and the Qufeng Recipe group was administered the decoction of Qufeng Recipe

3ml each time

twice a day.Twenty-one days later

expression of interleukin-1β（IL-1β）mRNA and interleukin-6（IL-6） mRNA in synovial tissues of knee joint of all groups was detected.Results In comparison with the model group

the IL-1β mRNA and IL-6 mRNA expression of synovial tissues in the normal group

hormone group

and Qufeng Recipe group was lowered with the statistical difference（P<0.05）.There was no statistical difference among the normal group

Qufeng Recipe group

and hormone group（P>0.05）.Conclusion Expression of IL-1β mRNA and IL-6 mRNA in synovial tissues in AA rats is up-regulated.Hormone and Qufeng Recipe function to inhibit its transcription and expression.