Abstract: AIM: To investigate the similarity and difference of effects and mechanisms between Qingpeng Paste and capsaicin cream on arthritis. METHODS: The rats of formalin inflammatory pain model were pretreated with the two drugs, pathologic changes and substance P expression of the tissues, serum NO level and the plasma level of β endorphin were measured, and the behavior change was observed. RESULTS: Compared with model group, each dosage of Qingpeng Paste and capsaicin cream could greatly improve the pathologic changes and decrease the level of substance P. Two dosages of Qingpeng Paste and high dosage of capsaicin cream could inhibit the second phase of formalin inflammatory pain, decrease the level of serum NO, and increase the level of plasma β endorphin. Compared with capsaicin cream, Qingpeng Paste could restrain the fist phase of formalin inflammatory pain, had no simulative effect of high dosage capsaicin cream and had an analgesic effect in a dose-dependant manner. CONCLUSION: There is much comparability between effects and mechanism of Qingpeng Paste and capsaicin cream on arthritis. However, comparing with capsaicin, Qingpeng Paste might has wider and more controllable pharmacological functions.

Key words: Qingpeng paste, Capsaicin cream, Arthritis, Formalin inflammatory pain