AIM:To observe the effects of brucine on chondrocyte apoptosis of rabbit induc ed by nitric oxide (NO) in vitro. METHODS:The chondroytes obtained from New Zealand rabbits were cultured in vit ro with Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) for 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively.Transmis sion electron microscope (TEM) and flow cytometer were employed to observe the c ell apoptosis. Then the chondrocytes were cultured with different dosage of bruc ine for 24 hours in vitro, and the annexin V/pI method was conducted to dete...