Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Tianxing Jiangu Capsule （Capsule for strenghthening the bone） on rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. Methods Totally 220 cases of RA were randomized into the treatment group of 120 cases and control group of 100 cases. The patients in both groups were orally taken 10mg methotrexatum （MTX） once weekly and 10mg leflunomide （LEF） once daily. The treatment group was added with Tianxing Jiangu Capsule

1.35 to 2.25 grams once and three times daily. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. The clinical symptoms such as joint tenderness count

joint swelling count

duration of morning stiffness

grip strength and pain degree were observed before and after treatment. The changes of rheumatoid factor （RF）

erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）

C-reactive protein （CRP）

immunoglobulin G （IgG）

IgM

IgA and safety index were detected before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group and control group was 87.5% and 67% respectively

with a significant difference between groups （P<0.01）. The clinical symptoms such as joint tenderness count

joint swelling count

duration of morning stiffness

grip strength and pain degree were significantly relieved in both groups after treatment （P<0.01）

especially in the treatment group （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The levels of ESR

CRP

RF

IgG and IgM were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment （P<0.01）

especially the decrements of CRP

IgG and IgM in the treatment group （P<0.05）. The adverse reactions in the treatment group were declined

but with no significant difference between groups （P>0.05）. Conclusion The combo therapy of Tianxing Jiangu Capsule and western medicine can improve symptoms and signs of RA patients

with better efficacy as compared with western medicine simply.