Figure 4.

Cartilage turnover in ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with vehicle alone (OVX + vehicle), estrogen (OVX + estrogen), or different batches of kudzu extract, given in a high dose (1.5 g/kg. per day). Cartilage degradation was assessed using MMP-mediated collagen type II fragments (CTX-II) as a marker. Values for vehicle-treated sham-operated rats (Sham) are also included. The dried extract was re-dissolved in water at a concentration of 120 mg/ml and given to rat daily by gavage. Measurements were made at the weekly intervals shown. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) of 10 replicate rats. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare each bar with the vehicle. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001.