Figure 2.

SM alleviates joint inflammation and injury in CIA rats. (a) Three-dimensional micro-CT images revealed that bone destruction (yellow arrows) was less robust in the SM-H group compared with that in the CIA group. Following SM treatment, changes in the ankle joints of rats from different groups, including interphalangeal joints, cavities, and bone, were assessed by micro-CT. (b) The histological assessment of ankle joints from different groups is shown. (c) The histology scores for synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, and cartilage and bone damage were blindly evaluated. Values are the mean ± SEM (n = 6). ^#P< 0.05, ^##P< 0.01 compared with the control group; ∗P< 0.05, ∗∗P< 0.01 compared with the CIA group.