Objective To observe the effect of alcohol extract of Achyranthes （Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae） on the cartilage in rabbits with acute cartilage damage.Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into the control group

low-dose group

middle-dose group and high-dose group

with 6 in each.The acute cartilage damage models were established with sharp indentation.The low-dose

middle-dose and high-dose groups were gavaged with 1

3 and 6 g/（kg·d） alcohol extract of Achyranthes.The control group was given same amount of distilled water.The intragastric administration was given to each group twice daily for 4 weeks.The expression of type-Ⅱ collagen was detected by immunohistochemistry.The cartilage HE staining and modified Mankin’s score was observed.Results Comparing with the control group

the percentage of positive expression of type-Ⅱ collagen was significantly increased but the modified Mankin’s score was significantly decreased in the high-dose

middle-dose and low-dose groups （P<0.05 or P<0.01）

especially in the high-dose group （P<0.05）.Comparing with the low-dose group

the percentage of positive expression of type-Ⅱ collagen was significantly increased but the modified Mankin’s score was significantly decreased in the middle-dose group （P<0.05）.Conclusion The alcohol extract of Achyranthes can effectively stimulate chondrocyte proliferation

increase type-Ⅱ collagen expression and repair cartilage damage with a dose-dependent manner.