Objective: To observe the effect of Astragalus root and Chuanxiong rhizome used in combination(called combination treatment group) on synovial cell apoptosis and serum cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats and explore the mechanism of the therapy for nourishing qi and activating circulation in treating RA. Methods: AA rat model was established. The rats were divided into seven groups：normal, model, Astragalus root treatment, Chuanxiong rhizome treatment, combination treatment , MTX treatment and TPT treatment. Observe the influence and mechanism of the therapy for nourishing qi and activating circulation to the swelling of vola pedis, synovial cell apoptosis ratio and density of serum cytokines in AA rats. Results: Combination treatment group could distinctly recede the swelling of vola pedis, heighten synovial cell apoptosis ratio and decrease the content of IL-1、TNF-αand IL-6 in serum,but the content of IL-4 in serum was increased, rather and even superior to MTX and TPT. Conclusion: The mechanism of the therapy for nourishing qi and activating circulation in treating RA could be to restrain inflammation cytokines and decreasing the synovial cell apoptosis of AA rats, which reflect the advantages of Chinese medicine prescription. under the direction of the treatment principles and methods of TCM.