Periploca forrestii saponin ameliorates CIA via suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa-B pathways
Fig 1
Effect of PFS on developing (prophylactic) collagen-induced arthritis.
(A) Images of the hindpaw from BALB/c mice. (B) a: Change in ankle thickness. b: Joint swelling score on Day 28. The changes in paw thickness were measured every four day. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard error (n = 7–9). Statistical values conducted on days 0–28 for changes in paw thickness compared with vehicle were as follows: *p<0.05, **P < 0.01, compared with the vehicle group, student’s t-test. (C) Day 28 paws were harvested, sectioned, and stained with H&E to evaluate for the number of inflammatory cells/erosions. (D) Safranin O and fast green staining for cartilage, Extensive proteoglycan depletion (arrowhead). (E) Toluidine blue staining to evaluate for cartilage integrity, bone erosions (asterisks). (F) TRAP staining for osteoclasts infiltrating the subchondral bone plate up to the cartilage (arrowheads). (G-J) Immunohistology for STAT3, p-p65, cathepsin K and MMP-9. A: Articular cartilage; J: Joint space; M: Synovial membrane; P: Pannus formation.