Objective:To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of the Tibetan Gentiana straminea Maxim Extracts on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,AA model group,tripterygium glycosides group,and Gentiana straminea Maxim Extracts groups of different dosages (10,5,2.5 mg/kg).In addition to the control group,each group was injection of intradermal Freunds complete adjuvant (0.1 ml) into left hindpaw of rats to establish adjuvant arthritis model.Gentiana straminea Maxim were administered by intragastric administration (ig) for 21 days(10,5,2.5 mg/kg) The pathological changes of hindpaw swelling in each group were observed.Primary and secondary hindpaw swelling of AA rats were measured with volume meter.ResuhS:Gentiana straminea Maxim Extracts(10,5,2.5 mg/kg) obviously relieved the changes of hindpaw swelling in adjuvant arthritis rat.Conclusion:Gentiana straminea Maxim Extracts could alleviate the changes of the hindpaw swelling affected with theumatoid arthritis.