Fig. 10
Levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum and spleen of rats as detected by ELISA and RT-qPCR. Drugs were administered via the oral route, and methotrexate (MTX) was used as a positive control (0.3 mg/kg, administered once daily). EF was administered at 2 g kg−1 day−1 (EF-L) and 4 g kg−1 day−1 (EF-H). A Effects of EF on the serum levels of CTX-1, ICTP, PINP, and BGP, in CIA rats. B Effects of EF on the levels of TNF-α, TRAF-6, IL-1β, and IL-17, in the serum of CIA rats. Data are the mean ± SD (n = 6), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, vs. CIA rats without EF or MTX treatment, #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001, vs. normal group