Objective:To observe the curative effect of GuQing granules on the adjuvant arthritis rats,and detect whether GuQing granules could regulate the expression of acid-sensitive ion channel 3(ASIC3) in articular cartilage. Methods:The rats were randomly divided into five groups:blank control group,adjuvant arthritis model group,positive control group(aspirin 50 mg/kg),GuQing granules group of thearapeutic dose(8.4 g crude drug/kg),GuQing granules group of high dose(16.8 g crude drug/kg). Except the rats in blank control group,all the rats were injected intradermally with complete Freund’s adjuvant(CFA) at left toes to induce adjuvant arthritis model. Ten days after injection,all rats of each group were administration with corresponding drugs for 10 days. The weight,volume of right foot and arthritis scores of rats were recorded.,the pathological changes of rat ankle joint were observed by optical microscope,and the mRNA and protein expression of ASIC3 in rat knee cartilage were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results:GuQing granules significantly inhibited the paw swelling of rats ankle after treatment,the mRNA and protein expression of ASIC3 in knee cartilage decreased after GuQing granules treatment. There was no significant difference between the positive control aspirin group and GuQing granules treatment group. Conclusion:GuQing granules can reduce the inflammation of adjuvant arthritis rats,protect articular cartilage and down-regulate the expression of ASIC3.