Fig. 3.

Bi-Qi capsule (BQ) or methotrexate (MTX) reduced collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)-induced osteopontin (OPN) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) upregulation in serum, and mRNA and protein levels in paw joint tissue. a, b OPN and COMP levels in serum. c, d OPN and COMP mRNA expression in paw joint cartilage. e, f OPN and COMP protein quantification from immunohistochemistry images of paw joint synovium. Data are presented as mean ± SD from eight rats in each group. Significant effect of treatment compared to control: *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Significant effect of treatment compared to arthritic group: ^####P < 0.0001. Significant effect of treatment compared to high-dose BQ (BQ-HD): ^$$P < 0.01, ^$$$$P < 0.0001. Significant effect of treatment compared to MTX-group: ^&P < 0.05, ^&&&&P < 0.0001. BQ-MD, moderate-dose BQ