ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effect of Lugua polypeptide on active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty patients with active RA were selected for the study and were randomly divided into study group and control group. Patients in study group were treated with Lugua polypeptide intravenously at a dose of 16 mg per day and those in control group were given Celecoxib 200 mg twice a day for successive 2 weeks. Two groups were given the same basic treatment. Tenderness and swelling of joints, morning stiffness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein,rheumatoid factor and so on were recorded before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The above index on joints in study group was significantly improved compared with that in control group and the level before treament. No apparent side effects were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lugua polypeptide is effective and safe on active RA. It is a promising agent in the treatment of RA.</p>
