2003; Ren et al. 2019b). An increased serum MMP-3 level is a sign of cartilage destruction in the early RA (Yamanaka et al. 2000). Synovium-lining cells generate MMP-3, which plays a vital role in the degradation of type IX collagen and cartilage proteoglycans, and activates pro-collagenases (Okada et al. 1989). In the present study, the serum PGE2 and MMP-3 were obviously increased in CFA-induced RA rats, administration of ASE significantly reduced serum RA markers namely PGE2 and MMP-3. The gene discussed is MMP3; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.