Objective This article reported the experimental result of 63 adult New Zealand rabbits used as animal models for observing
effect of Radix Salvia Miltiorrhiza(RSM)for the prevention of articular
cartilage and synovialis injury and
degenerative change after ischemia in the rabbit′s hind limbs.Methods The observation grossly and histological examination were performed at 0,1,day and 1,4,8,12,16 weeks after reperfusion.The calcified and noncalcified cartilage were measured and quantitative analyszed at 8,16 weeks after reperfusion.Results The ischemic reperfusion injury and degenerative change of articular cartilage and synovialis were found in all experimental groups.There was a significant delay and lessening of injury and degenerative change of articular cartilage and synovialis in the groups treated with RSM.Conclusion The findings indicated RSM can alleviate the ischemic reperfusion injury and the degeneration of articular cartilages and synovialis after rabbit′s hind limbs ischemia.